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?

“Pain, fear, sex, and higher order preferences”. Retrieved February 22, 2018.

Feelings about feelings

See also