Humanity’s grand narrative is not one of cold rationality but of primal emotional currents—lust, love, hate, and joy have steered empires, toppled kings, and forged societies far more decisively than any logic. From the terror-stricken temples of antiquity to the anxiety-fluorescent glow of modern life, emotions function as history’s invisible architects. Consider the fear-worship of ancient Mesopotamia, where capricious gods demanded sacrifices to stave off calamity, or shame-bound Confucian hierarchies that molded East Asia’s social spine through rigid honor codes. Pride built the Parthenon but also fueled the duelist’s pistol; disgust united medieval Europe against "heretics" even as it justified caste systems. The West’s guilt-industrial complex, born of Augustinian sin and Protestant introspection, paradoxically birthed both witch trials and the scientific revolution. Today, envy polices inequality in late-stage capitalism, while anxiety atomizes modern souls into approval-seeking algorithms. Underlying it all pulses the Worm at the Core—our mortality terror, the subconscious rot that makes us cling to gods, gold, and glory. Every war, law, and artwork is ultimately a scar or salve from this emotional warfare. To study history without emotions is to map a corpse while ignoring its nervous system: the wires still hum, the heart still quakes, and the beast still dreams.
The Inspiration
The book Worm at the Core was the main driver for this discussion. Also I'd ask you to take a look at WhatifAltHist's take on this topic.
The Emotions
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key emotions and their associated societies:
Fear
Fear is portrayed as one of the oldest motivators in human behavior, playing a crucial role in ancient societies. It asserts that fear-based cultures often develop stringent moral codes enforced through power and intimidation, as exemplified by fear-driven deities in various ancient religions and societies. Countries or societies that exemplify fear-driven cultures include many contemporary indigenous communities in Africa and Latin America, as well as ancient civilizations such as Babylon, Rome, and Egypt. These societies often structured their moral codes around fear to maintain control and unify their people against common threats. For example, they would utilize fear as a means of governance, promoting loyalty through intimidation.
Shame
Shame emerges as a powerful emotion across many cultures, particularly in Asia. Shame significantly dictates social behavior and structures, engendering strong familial and social bonds at times, while also fostering practices that perpetuate oppression and injustice against individuals, especially women. Shame is particularly prevalent in Asian cultures, notably in countries like Japan, China, Pakistan, and Iraq. These societies operate on the principle of familial and communal honor, often sacrificing individuality for the group’s integrity. They are characterized by strict social hierarchies and norms that dictate behavior, with severe repercussions for actions that bring shame to the family or community. For instance, in Japan, surrendering in battle was seen as a shameful act that could only be resolved through extreme measures such as seppuku (ritual suicide).
Pride
Pride is discussed in the context of its need for an aggressive demonstration of strength, especially in it's maifestation as Hubris as seen in Mythologies like Greek and Norse. Cultures marked by pride linger in areas characterized by instability, where reputation and honor are foundational to societal cohesion. While pride can catalyze noble efforts, it can also lead to destructive tendencies without adequate moral constraints. Cultures associated with pride include warrior societies like those of the Vikings, samurai in Japan, and the various nomadic herder tribes in the Middle East, such as the Turks and Arabs. These societies uphold a sense of manliness and honor, where reputation is critical, and stringent moral codes are enforced. The historical context of pride being a foundational pillar is also reflected in the ancient warrior societies of Europe, especially in German parts, where values of virility and honor define social order.
Disgust
Disgust is framed as a visceral reaction that promotes social cohesion by uniting groups against perceived external threats or "impurities". Disgust has influenced social hierarchies and norms, historically leading to discrimination based on race or class. This emotion often drives group identity and social cohesion, as seen in societies with strong racial or class biases, like traditional India, which has a deeply ingrained caste system. In this context, disgust manifests in the treatment of lower castes and in practices that enforce social purity. The American South historically exhibited similar dynamics, where racial disgust shaped societal structures and legal systems.
Guilt
Guilt-driven cultures, rooted in the Christian ethic of personal morality and responsibility, are posited as producing the highest human achievements through individual innovation and creativity. The notion that such societies can self-critique is presented as a vital feature that fosters progress. Western societies, particularly those influenced by Christianity, are predominantly guilt-driven. Over centuries, this has fostered an emphasis on individual morality and accountability. Countries like the United States embody this emotion, where the focus is often on being right with God rather than conforming to societal norms. The guilt-based cultural model supports self-criticism and personal responsibility, significantly shaping societal interactions and advancements.
Envy
Envy is discussed as a destructive force, particularly in societies marked by inequality. Envy can curb progress and stifle social mobility by fostering resentment toward the successful or privileged. Envy is a major force in many traditional societies, reflecting a reaction against inequality. Countries where envy has been notably prevalent include parts of Latin America and various Asian societies, where social and economic disparities have led to movements that stem from a collective desire for fairness. Envy has historical ties to ideologies such as communism, where the focus is placed on dismantling the class structures perceived as unjust.
Anxiety
Anxiety is identified as a defining emotion of contemporary culture, leading to a preoccupation with societal approval and validation. This anxiety can constrict personal freedom and creativity, manifesting in excessive regulations and caution in social interactions. Anxiety incapacitates societies by dictating cultural morays, often aligning with the feminine spectrum of emotional expression. Contemporary anxiety-driven cultures characterize modern Western societies, especially in urban settings like those in the United States. Factors contributing to this anxiety include social pressures, fear of failure, and societal expectations. The pervasive nature of anxiety manifests in how communities respond to crises—often with heightened concern and neurotic behaviors, reflecting a cultural shift from robust, structured moral values to a more chaotic, approval-seeking orientation.
The Takeaway
This emotional framework elucidates how varying societies are embedded with specific emotional undercurrents, shaping their histories and cultural developments in profound ways. Each emotion plays a significant role in how these cultures view themselves and interact both internally and externally. Emotions are not just fickle sparks in the friction between human condition and reality, rather it is the ember that burns the fuel in the firebox of societies and civilization- always running the train, no matter which direction it goes.