Y: Do you ever feel guilty, Don?
D: Sure. Don't you? Doesn't everyone from time to time?
Y: I suppose. But why?
D: I don't know--it's just a basic human emotion.
Y: I know . . . but I guess my question is, what role does guilt serve? How did guilt evolve? I mean, other animals don't seem to experience guilt as far as we know. So why humans?
D: Well, I think guilt is necessary for society to function. There are different theories of how guilt works as a kind of social glue. One is that guilt is a sort of self-imposed punishment . . . you do something wrong like hurting someone or lying or whatever . . . then guilt kicks in and makes you feel bad so that maybe you won't do it again.
Y: Or maybe guilt also makes you not only feel bad but also gives you incentive to try to actually be a better person in the future.
D: That's right. In fact, research suggests that guilt does both of those things at the same time--it helps you recognize and feel bad about improper behavior and then spurs you to reach out to others and make amends.
Y: So guilt is a pretty dynamic emotion . . .
D: Yep. I mean, it's vital for a peaceful society. Do you know why psychopaths are able to murder and do all sorts of other nasty things without compunction?
Y: Because they don't feel guilt?
D: Right! Without guilt there's less incentive to get along with other people. So you can imagine that a guiltless society would be pretty chaotic.
Y: Thankfully, we've got guilt in spades.
D: Sure. Don't you? Doesn't everyone from time to time?
Y: I suppose. But why?
D: I don't know--it's just a basic human emotion.
Y: I know . . . but I guess my question is, what role does guilt serve? How did guilt evolve? I mean, other animals don't seem to experience guilt as far as we know. So why humans?
D: Well, I think guilt is necessary for society to function. There are different theories of how guilt works as a kind of social glue. One is that guilt is a sort of self-imposed punishment . . . you do something wrong like hurting someone or lying or whatever . . . then guilt kicks in and makes you feel bad so that maybe you won't do it again.
Y: Or maybe guilt also makes you not only feel bad but also gives you incentive to try to actually be a better person in the future.
D: That's right. In fact, research suggests that guilt does both of those things at the same time--it helps you recognize and feel bad about improper behavior and then spurs you to reach out to others and make amends.
Y: So guilt is a pretty dynamic emotion . . .
D: Yep. I mean, it's vital for a peaceful society. Do you know why psychopaths are able to murder and do all sorts of other nasty things without compunction?
Y: Because they don't feel guilt?
D: Right! Without guilt there's less incentive to get along with other people. So you can imagine that a guiltless society would be pretty chaotic.
Y: Thankfully, we've got guilt in spades.
