This chapter delves into the critical distinction between feelings and emotions, exploring the profound implications of accurately understanding these concepts in our daily lives and societal systems. In an era increasingly reliant on emotion recognition technologies used in settings such as airports, courts, and other public spaces, the consequences of misinterpreting emotions can be both profound and far-reaching.

By examining centuries of philosophical discourse alongside modern scientific insights, this chapter contrasts two primary schools of thought: the natural kinds theory, which posits that emotions are biologically universal phenomena, and the conceptual act theory, which contends that emotions are socially and contextually constructed. This discussion challenges the validity of emotional intelligence as a universal measure of accuracy in emotion detection, highlighting the risks associated with oversimplified or biased interpretations of emotional states.

Furthermore, we will evaluate the limitations of current neuroscience and technology in measuring emotions, exploring the possibility that feelings are objectively real and linked to interoceptive sensations, while emotions are subjective constructs shaped by cultural, social, and personal factors.