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Disgust
Disgust is an emotion, typically associated with things that are perceived
as unclean or inedible. Disgust is one of the basic emotions of Robert
Plutchik's theory of emotions.
Disgust may be further subdivided into physical disgust, associated with
physical or metaphorical uncleanness, and moral disgust, a similar feeling
related to courses of action. Antonyms to disgust are sympathy, liking.
Disgust is thought to have its origins in (and in some cases to be identical
to) instinctive reactions that evolved as part of natural selection for
behavior which tended to prevent food poisoning, or exposure to danger
or infection.
Martha Nussbaum, a leading American philosopher, wrote a book published
in 2004 entitled Hiding From Humanity: Disgust, Shame, and the Law which
examines the relationship of disgust and shame to a society's laws.
A recent study found that women and children were more sensitive to disgust
than men. Researchers attempted to explain this finding in evolutionary
terms.
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