• Question: why do we have emotions?

    Asked by reanna3696 to MarkF, Mark, Michael, Panos, Sarah on 20 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Panos Soultanas

      Panos Soultanas answered on 18 Jun 2010:

      Because are social beings and we have a consiousness. Other animals too have emotions but less well advanced consiousness.

    • Photo: Mark Fogg

      Mark Fogg answered on 18 Jun 2010:

      Ooo! now that’s a good one. To be honest, other than guessing that it’s an evolutionary advantageous trait, probably to ensure cooperation and attachment to other humans, thereby giving a better chance of survival, I really, really am unsure. sorry I can’t help on that one, it’s not my field. 🙂

    • Photo: Mark Travis

      Mark Travis answered on 18 Jun 2010:

      I don’t really know…. but my guess i evolution. Emotions will have been selected to make us do things that are benficial in an evolutionary sense. For example, we get very emotional about our children if they are in danger, etc. therefore, our emotions make us protect our family, therefore increasing the chance that our genes will be passed on to the next generation.

      I am sure there are additional reasons that I am not aware of!

    • Photo: Michael Loughlin

      Michael Loughlin answered on 20 Jun 2010:

      part will be generated by the whole selfish gene idea…parents love and would risk themselves for their children due to the fact the children carry their genes ( its a theory not necessarily fact) whereas according to the selfish gene an aunt would risk less to save their nephew than their son…and best of luck if you are old and past the age of reproduction..no one will save you

      of course its no where near as simple as that with fear passed on parent to child as a safety aspect of life, sharing and affection improving group survival over loners etc etc…very big subject very good question all to do with how social animals exist and improve the wellbeing of the pack/tribe/group

    • Photo: Sarah Burl

      Sarah Burl answered on 20 Jun 2010:

      It is the modern way to communicate and is needed for survival. You will protect those you are close to and run away from those that are bad.

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