What is the most important emotion?

[MindfulEnt]

In your opinion, what do you think the most important emotion is?

 

Personally, I think it's a blend of Wonder and Empathy.

[Elite Engineer]

This is highly subjective, however I would say FEAR is the most important emotion. Yes, fear in the absolute basic sense keeps us at a distance from death. However, fear is not just a single dimensional emotion only meant for avoiding death. As Michael Douglass said in the film 'Wallstreet'...greed is good; fear is essential. Fear makes you work, in that you fear on not paying the mortgage. Fear helps you advance yourself, as you may be afraid of remaining in an unsatisfying job. Fear keeps you prepared so you won't be embarrassed or misfortuned. Fear makes you socialable so you're not alone. Fear makes you look attractive, because you fear judgement. Fear keeps you to update, so you're not left behind.

 

Wonder comes after one has fortified themselves from fear. Empathy is a product of fear.

 

If fear is not the most important emotion, then in the very least it is the most necessary.

Edited September 26, 2016 by Elite Engineer

[tkadm30]

Personally, I prefer feeling happy rather than full of fear.

[Thorham]

All of them, except nonsense like jealousy and pride.

[Mordred]

Anger as it is the strongest emotion that places you at odds with one's self. Thus lending self confidence once you overcome those anger triggers. To persevere against the adverse nature of the uncontrolled nature of anger and learn from its diverse lessons (depending on triggers) and continue to do so

Edited January 29, 2017 by Mordred

[AnthonyShell]

I would say hope, it is what keeps things going, trying to make things better when everything seemed to be against the odds.

[dimreepr]

The most important emotion, is ones current emotion, as long as it's relevant to ones current situation.

[Function]

Lack of joy and happiness may contribute to an impending depression, in which case you basically already are (or rather, may feel) dead, psychologically.

 

While still alive, I'd go for happiness.

[dimreepr]

 

While still alive, I'd go for happiness.

 

An impossible dream, all emotions are temporary.

[Prometheus]

This is a bit like asking what organ is the most - you might think the brain or heart but see how far you get without an anus.

[Thorham]

This is a bit like asking what organ is the most - you might think the brain or heart but see how far you get without an anus.

 

I certainly have no use for jealousy.

[Prometheus]

 

I certainly have no use for jealousy.

 

I found it a useful motivator to overcome my natural reticence when others would try to chat up the women who would become my wife.

[dimreepr]

 

I certainly have no use for jealousy.

 

It's only a problem when it's excessive, as in '(not) relevant to ones current situation'.

[Thorham]

What about pride, then? Serves no purpose other then to bloat one's ego.

[Raider5678]

Survival trumps emotion.

[Thorham]

Survival trumps emotion.

 

What's the point of living if you feel nothing?

[Raider5678]

 

What's the point of living if you feel nothing?

Living.

[Thorham]

Living.

 

Living for the sake of living Not for me. Feelings make life worth living. Without them you might as well be dead.

Edited January 30, 2017 by Thorham

[Function]

 

Living for the sake of living Not for me. Feelings make life worth living. Without them you might as well be dead.

 

Throwback to #8. If you feel indifferent about everything, yeah ... It's over.

[dimreepr]

What about pride, then? Serves no purpose other then to bloat one's ego.

 

 

Have you never taken pride in your work?

[Commander]

It depends on what is meant by 'most important' !

[Thorham]

Have you never taken pride in your work?

 

Of course, but I'm referring to the negative meaning of the word:

 

Pride is an inwardly directed emotion that carries two antithetical meanings. With a negative connotation pride refers to a foolishly and irrationally corrupt sense of one's personal value, status or accomplishments, used synonymously with hubris.

Edited January 30, 2017 by Thorham

[dimreepr]

 

The most important emotion, is ones current emotion, as long as it's relevant to ones current situation.

 

 

 

 

All emotions have a dark side, when in excess or irrelevant to now.

[Ten oz]

In your opinion, what do you think the most important emotion is?

 

Personally, I think it's a blend of Wonder and Empathy.

Emotions impact each other. Just as paint colors can be mixed to create new colors so too can emotions. Not only that but all people don't experience every emotion. So Idon't believe your question has an answer. Many emotions have been critical to human evolution. Without curiosity we wouldn't have explored, no empathy and we would be able to share experiences/knowledge so effectively, and etc. Emotions considered negative have there place too. Without fear humans wouldn't have been cautious enough during our explorations. Without egotism a sense of competition which often has driven invention wouldn't exist. Yet all emotions have their down side. Humans have killed in the name of love and in the name of hate.

 

To answer your question I think the question needs to be considerably more specific.

[Schell]

I think that neither wonder nor empathy could be judged as the most important on the basis that their are animals which don't feel empathy and seem to survive regardless. There are even people who don't feel empathy, and they do quite well as a result.

By 'wonder', I assume you mean amazement or fascination. Again this is an emotion which it seems very few species enjoy.

 

I think fear is one of the most important emotions. Without fear, a species would die out almost immediately. Selfishness is another which is very important if your aim is to survive for any length of time.