SilasBarta comments on Boredom vs. Scope Insensitivity - Less Wrong

37 Post author: Wei_Dai 24 September 2009 11:45AM

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Comment author: Wei_Dai 25 September 2009 08:13:00PM 2 points [-]

I have a question for everyone. What is the evolutionary function of "feelings about feelings"? Is there one, or is it more of a spandrel? It seems that our emotions are largely hardwired, and it wouldn't be very useful to feel bad about how they work.

Maybe it serves some signaling purpose if we discuss our feelings with others? (As in "I feel really bad that I don't love you anymore.") But why should others take these signals seriously?

Comment author: SilasBarta 25 September 2009 08:18:29PM 1 point [-]

That just seems related to the evolution of politics. That is, you have to signal feeling bad for asking others to grant you more power (or otherwise do what you want).