The DFW Examined Life Philosophy Group March Meeting

Tonight's topic: what is the role of emotions in our lives?

Some questions for tonight's discussion:

The nature of emotions, feelings, and intuitions is a longstanding philosophical topic. Understanding the nature of emotions is crucial to our lives because for most people, emotions are the means by which we enjoy life. They are the reward of achievement and the punishment for our failures. Others struggle with a conflict between their emotions and consciously held ideas. It is therefore important to establish the role of emotions in our life in order to life a happy life.

Things to think about:

Wikipedia defines emotion as a "a biological arousal produced in response to a stimulus.? What do you think about this definition? Are emotions a type of thinking, or something else?
What is the proper role of emotions in our life?
How should we regard emotions from a moral perspective? What can they tell us about the morality of our judgment?
What kinds of emotions are there? Are they all a form of a pain/pleasure awareness mechanism?
What is happiness? Can we consider it an end in itself?
To what, if any, extent are emotions a guide to action?
What is the role of self-esteem in our lives?

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