Definitionv1

Guilt: a psychological response that functions as a

Guilt: a psychological response that functions as a cooperation-maintenance mechanism, activating when an individual's behavior threatens a cooperative relationship and motivating reparative action that preserves the social bond

Why This Is a Definition

This definition establishes guilt's evolutionary function and mechanism, distinguishing it from moral guilt by identifying its genus (psychological response) and differentia (cooperation-maintenance mechanism, social bond preservation). It provides a precise semantic boundary that explains guilt's adaptive purpose.

Source Lessons

L-0652

Guilt about boundaries is normal but not authoritative

You will feel guilty when you set boundaries. That guilt is a conditioned emotional response, not moral feedback. Treat it as noise, not signal.

Connections

Defines (2)

AxiomCognitive Dissonance Drives Information Avoidance AxiomLooping Effects of Human Classification

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