The article discusses the evolution of prosocial emotions and their relation to societal norms and values. Key emotions like compassion and empathy, tied to well-being hormones such as oxytocin, create a sense of fulfillment when aligned with personal values. Violating these values triggers guilt and shame, which are crucial for motivating correction. However, disruptive factors like drugs and narcissistic tendencies can sever the link between feeling good and doing good, leading to psychological distress, as guilt and shame become counterproductive rather than motivating.
The evolution of prosocial emotions implies that feeling good is inherently connected to doing good; drugs and narcissism disrupt this essential dynamic.
When we violate our personal values, the resulting guilt and shame serve as emotional signals, urging us back towards more prosocial behavior.
Consistently violating our own values leads to an intolerable strain on our prosocial emotions, culminating in psychological distress.
The do good/feel good dynamic is disrupted by substances and self-centered behaviors, which ultimately exacerbate feelings of guilt and shame instead of promoting moral behavior.
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