Love, hate, embarrassment, every emotion has an evolutionary job. This psychologist identified all 74 and their survival functions. Evolutionary psychologist Dr. Rob Kurzban reveals the hidden evolutionary reasons behind our 74 distinct emotions (from love and hate to embarrassment and cuteness aggression) and explains why understanding human emotions is more critical than ever in the age of AI.

Dr. Kurzban is a leading researcher in evolutionary psychology who studied under field pioneers John Tooby and Leda Cosmides, specializing in the adaptive functions of human social behavior.

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00:00 Introduction to Evolutionary Psychology and Emotions

00:17 Surprising Discoveries in Emotional Research

01:22 The Complexity of Love and Strategic Ignorance

02:32 Memory, Reputation, and Strategic Amnesia

04:50 Obscure Feelings and Their Evolutionary Roles

07:25 Pain, Embarrassment, and Evolutionary Signals

11:28 Feelings in Adulthood vs. Childhood

14:26 Intense Emotions: Parental Love, Hate, and Coalitional Comradery

17:03 The Evolutionary Purpose of Hate

22:14 Modular Brain Systems and Competing Emotions

34:54 The Role of Optimism in Youth

35:17 The Complexity of Wisdom

36:38 Children's Books and Morality

38:54 Signaling Moral Virtue

42:24 Cultural Rules and Their Impact

47:33 The Evolution of American Rules

52:19 Hypocrisy and Moral Judgment

01:02:05 Changing Beliefs and Scientific Dogma

01:11:48 The Role of Science in Human Progress

01:12:34 AI and the Future of Objectivity

01:13:28 The Evolution of AI: From Language Models to World Models

01:15:38 AI's Impact on Human Behavior and Society

01:18:08 The Future of Jobs in an AI-Driven World

01:21:08 Human Creativity vs. AI Capabilities

01:25:29 The Role of Envy and Gratitude in Human Motivation

01:30:59 Historical Parallels and Lessons from the Industrial Revolution

01:45:09 The Importance of Legal Frameworks in Society

01:46:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

RESOURCES / LINKS

Rob’s Work:

Substack:

https://thelivingfossils.substack.com

"Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite: Evolution and the Modular Mind" - Available at:

http://www.robkurzban.com/books/why-everyone-else-is-a-hypocrite

"The Hidden Agenda of the Political Mind: How Self-Interest Shapes Our Opinions and Why We Won't Admit It" (Co-authored with Jason Weeden) -

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21981657-the-hidden-agenda-of-the-political-mind

Jacob’s Work

Podcast blueprint (Skool): https://www.skool.com/remote-pro-podcast-blueprint-8385

FREE Podcast Tips (2nd Channel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUp5S7ZIZtjA8PMgXJMwppA