Guilty feelings.

I think guilt is my personal acknowledgement that I've done something I understand to be wrong.Sometimes I'll do something, feel it was normal, then gain information, and later feel guilty. I only feel guilty once I gain the knowledge that what I did was wrong. Yes, in not-so-many-words "a form of cognitive self flagellation". Although, I'm not up-to-speed on human biology in this matter. Does it not extend beyond cognitive? It doesn't release any endorphines or block receptors or something like that? I'm actually asking, I don't really know. Is it entirely cognitive? Or are some other physical parts of the body involved?An external source telling us something?Well, I really can't prove it isn't. However, I can show that it doesn't need to be. I do something I understand to be wrong, I feel guilty. That does not require an external source. Since the explanation is not required, I'll only give it credence if someone can educate me as to how it actually is required (if that's even possible).(PS - You may want to consider editing the spelling of your thread title)Edited by Stile, : Considered editing the spelling of my own words

Yes, that's what I meant to try to convey by using the term "understand".In understanding that I've done something wrong, I first need my own standard of what is actually 'wrong'. Then I can understand the "badness" when I compare what I did to my own standard. I don't think it matters what this standard actually is, though (as far as this thread's concerned, anyway). I have no argument either way on this point I really was just asking, I have no clue.But, if you are stating so "in your educated opinion" (since I think your education in this area is extensive), then I certainly accept this as the likely description. Pending further study, of course.Am I wrong in assuming that studying "guilt" is rather new in the field, as is the study of "forgiveness"?