anxiety is the classic one. it tells us not of immediate danger but that some shit is wrong.
explains a lot about the fact everyone is some sort of anxious now.
How does one find what is inducing it?
Narrow down your inputs. Isolate until you feel calm. Yes, this by itself is very difficult and could take a while.
but, if you manage it, begin reintroducing stimuli one at a time and monitor your inner state. Sit with it for a while and see if that experience contributes to a level of unease. Record your impressions. Repeat.
Pain. It notifies you that your body is injured in some way, and generally in what area so that you can do something about it.
That being said, I think your original premise is oversimplified. I agree that emotions aren’t instructions, but they’re more than notifications–they’re part of the inner workings of our brains that can happen for a multitude of reasons. The common denominator is that most of them help us survive in some way.
Confusion is a notification of prediction failure.
Joy tells you, that whatever’s going on, is good.
Sadness tells you the opposite.
Disgust tells you that you’ll get sick from its object
