Why do we feel bad about things?

[TheBoarzHeadBoy]

Why do we mourn the dead? Why do we feel bad when we kill someone who was going to kill us? Why don't we hold ourselves above others; at least greater than or equal to them? Why does it feel like we did something wrong when we break something? Why do we feel?

Are these emotions natural or taught? They seem very counter productive. Emotion inhibits logic, and our brains are too sophisticated to be held back by such reprehensible emotions.

[diggy]

Based on your questions in the first paragraph and the post in the euro state of mind thread, I'm starting to wonder what is wrong with you.

[diggy]

Emotions do not inhibit logic.
It could be an alert about what is important (and what we should pay attention to) and be used as a foundation for action.

[Face of the Golden Falcon]

...emotions are our power. They are there to fuel action. They are there to carry out instruction. Unfortunately most people at the very least some of the time allow their emotions to influence decisions instead.

HETEPU

[Frailhorse]

Originally Posted by Face of the Golden Falcon

...emotions are our power. They are there to fuel action. They are there to carry out instruction. Unfortunately most people at the very least some of the time allow their emotions to influence decisions instead.

HETEPU

i agree but
i think most people deny their emotions and act accordingly

your emotions offer guidance about what is right or wrong for you.

[Clan Destine]

Originally Posted by TheBoarzHeadBoy

Why do we mourn the dead? Why do we feel bad when we kill someone who was going to kill us?

One of humanities greatest strength is its ability to cooperate. This involves keeping potential partners around, and caring about others. Reciprocity. When this attachment is severed naturally we feel bad, we don't want it to happen again.

Killing is a great investment and a great risk. A human to whom killing was nothing would be quickly killed himself.

Originally Posted by TheBoarzHeadBoy

Why don't we hold ourselves above others; at least greater than or equal to them? Why does it feel like we did something wrong when we break something? Why do we feel?

Are these emotions natural or taught? They seem very counter productive. Emotion inhibits logic, and our brains are too sophisticated to be held back by such reprehensible emotions.

Everything has trade offs. A lion's claw can scratch but it can't grasp. Emotions are part of our natural history, you said yourself we have animal instincts. To a degree our emotions are our conscious interpretations of these drives. Just because our brains have got us this far it doesn't mean they're perfect, or work without interference. The latest organ will always be the least developed.

[Edgar Erebus]

Originally Posted by PALEHORSE

i agree but
i think most people deny their emotions and act accordingly

your emotions offer guidance about what is right or wrong for you.

Wow, Palehorse, you are even able to write something sensible.

[Fatal Guillotine]

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