The Range of Emotions

The value drive is the core emotion which all other emotions comes from. But it’s often combined with other impulses. Here I’ll explain how all emotions are made. There are many, but they’re all simple to understand when you have the right framework.

These are the three main components that cause the range of emotions

• The value drive. The main, always present, valuating emotion that let’s us feel the world around us.
  • Positive value emotion.
  • Negative value emotion.
• Aggressiveness. If we feel value is threatened, aggressiveness can be triggered.
• Nervousness. If we feel value is threatened, nervousness can be triggered.

Then there are other sensations that contribute like hunger, sexual arousal, tiredness and so on. For instance, low blood sugar increases aggressiveness in some way.

Logic is not a motivator in itself, but because of logic there are two aspects that creates different emotional states. First, the aspect of potential. Potential value loss or potential value gain. Another important aspect is outward or inward focus. If another person is responsible for the loss of value, it’s outward focus. If we are responsible ourselves, it’s inward focus.

Common Emotional States

Like and dislike. Positive value and negative value. Not usually mentioned as emotions, but these two are by far the most common emotions. We feel every object in the world by thinking or looking at them.

Anger. Negative value coupled with aggressiveness. May come from a loss of value or obstruction to potential value gain. More likely to have outward focus.

Fear. Negative value coupled with nervousness. More likely to have inward focus.

Sadness. Negative value. Something of high value have been lost.

Love. Positive value. A strong “like” state.

Hate. Negative value. A strong “dislike” state. May be coupled with aggressiveness.

Then there is the interesting aspect about having feelings about feelings. Being angry at someone can make you embarrassed, annoyed, even more angry or amused. I’ll get back to that in an upcoming post about moral, conscience and conscientiousness.