Morals - Guilt

[transcendent]

Hi,

Guilt is a component of human nature. Guilt haunts a person who comitted theft, adulterly or murder.

Why is guilt in existance at all? If we are developed by evolution, there is no reason for this artifact to exist. I do not understand how humans (most) self-realise how some of the deeds above are against morals.

What do you think? Is guilt a byproduct of development of intelligence? Is it something that developed over time into humans and passed on to generations? Do animals feel guilt as well - for example, when they kill.

Thanks for your input

 

[psychedelicist]

Guilt occurs when someone does something they have learned, or instinctively know, is wrong.

People are taught that things like adultery is wrong, so that's the only reason they feel it. If someone was not taught this, it is likely that they would not feel any guilt.

Things like murder and rape, on the other hand, make people feel guilty because it is instinctively wrong. Murder and rape, as everyone intrinsically knows, is harmful to the survival of the species, so even if they are not taught it is wrong, they still know it, and will still feel guilt

 

[transcendent]

Interesting. I guess it would explain the decrease in the intensity of guilt when crimes are sorted by severity.

A lot of people can lie and steal, but few can murder.

I also wonder about Christian input on this. Surely, God could have made people feel "guilt" upon the violation of the ten commandments.

Is Guilt a chemical response?

 

[kedaman]

The feeling of guilt and the social convention are distinct.

 

[Harlan Norris]

My dog, when found to have commited a transgressin of the rules, will slink away when she sees that I have noticed. This is a clear sign that she knows she broke the rules. And that she feels guilty.

 

[Corey]

Is Guilt a chemical response?

Guilt (and shame) are social emotions. They can't occur without a social context.

 

[TeddyKGB]

Guilt is a component of human nature. Guilt haunts a person who comitted theft, adulterly or murder.

Why is guilt in existance at all? If we are developed by evolution, there is no reason for this artifact to exist. I do not understand how humans (most) self-realise how some of the deeds above are against morals.

What do you think? Is guilt a byproduct of development of intelligence? Is it something that developed over time into humans and passed on to generations? Do animals feel guilt as well - for example, when they kill.

I do not understand why you think guilt is incompatible with evolution. Regardless whether guilt is a product of evolution or not, humans evolved a social cooperation strategy that seems to have worked fairly well. Individuals who steal and kill selfishly or indiscriminately will be a heavy tax upon a cooperative social order. Thus, a genetically-influenced emotional state that serves a deterrence role might be strongly selected for.