Are feelings actually useless, or do they serve a real purpose?

[Mdavila]

[SixFootSexy]

I used to think feelings were actually worse than useless. A show of weakness or immaturity.

Now that I'm older and have integrated more parts of myself and learned to not disassociate so hard, feelings are information. They aren't right or wrong, you can just feel them and let them go.

It's better than just going through life completely numb, but it is inconvenient at times. Like today, one of the guys I grew up with has his 3 year old daughter pass away. It was heartbreaking, but I'm not going to let it ruin my day.

[MrChinaski]

They are a way of assimilating vast amounts of information in a way that can usefully guide your behaviour, give you a sense of a continuous self purpose and meaning, and are sometimes pleasant.

But it depends. Often enough people react to emotions in ways detrimental to the wellbeing. And they can distract from performance... you probably don't want your air traffic controller posting on GaG about how he feels about his ex girlfriend while mid-shift.

[Nikki1989]

Feelings are essential biological and psychological tools. Without them you might as well be dead.

[pearlshelledfairy]

Emotions are what create a person's conscience.

[The_Wolf_2002]

Well said

[pearlshelledfairy]

Thank you

[Billlewis]

I think where we run into problems with our feelings is when we start using them to make big, life changing decisions, like who to marry or vote for.

[NathanDavis]

feelings ARE THE PURPOSE

[just_a_potato]

Every natural human process is there by design

[exitseven]

They cause positive as well as negative reinforcement and can change your behavior.

[Anonymous]

They have a use. It seems to mostly be pain.