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Regret is interesting to me because I don't really know what to do with it but I'm mostly convinced that all the primitive emotions have a use and a non-zero op
by usgroup 5y ago
Regret is interesting to me because I don't really know what to do with it but I'm mostly convinced that all the primitive emotions have a use and a non-zero optimal quantity. I'd be interested to hear from those with nuanced thoughts on this topic.
- harshreality 5y agoRegret is probably there to get you to relive a past event where you made a wrong choice, while feeling bad about it, so that you learn not to make that mistake again. As a consequence, if you think you might make the same bad decision again, reminiscing and feeling regret might continue to be helpful. Maybe there was a nuance to the situation that made it unclear whether it was a bad decision. Once you know the decision was bad, and know you wouldn't make the same bad decision again, regret is unnecessary; from then on if you catch yourself in it, you should redirect your attention to something productive.
- coldtea 5y ago>I'm mostly convinced that all the primitive emotions have a use and a non-zero optimal quantity Sure, it's learning negative reinforcement. Eat poisonous fruit that made your belly ache? It sticks in your mind, you remember it (as regret) and you wont do that again.
- usgroup 5y agoI think what makes regret a bit different is that its malleable (you can change the function) and theory laden (it evaluates differently based on what you know).