Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Lewis Thomson on 10/01/2022 09:58:16

Title: Did evolution give us negative emotional states?
Post by: Lewis Thomson on 10/01/2022 09:58:16
Donald has written in again with a very peculiar question.

"What is the evolutionary basis for negative emotional states like depression, social anxiety, shame and disgust? What evolutionary benefit is there to schizophrenia that not only persists but comes in different forms and variable dysfunction. If these are just exaggerated functional adaptations, why is there no innate safety breaker to prevent incapacitating dysfunctional states?"

What do you think? Leave your answers in the comments below...