Why were emotions part of our existance

I have always been confused about this and have thought about it often and I was wondering if those who are interested could give me logical points (by this, I don't mean to exclude anyone but I don't appreciate short worded answers that won't benefit this post)

Question: Why were emotions brought into part of our existance? What I mean is that all species were given traits to contribute to their survival, but how do emotions fit into that evolution?
I can understand fear- which gives us the sense to fight back or run away from a life threatening situation, and I understand affection because intimacy creates family and growing population. What I don't understand is depression and hurt emotions, how does this benefit us considering evolution?

(note: I repeat that I'm looking for thorough logical posts please)

Ok, well, here is my opinion. It may not be scientific but I find this post quite interesting...:
I think that us as humans have created emotions like embarrassment and depression. We as humans were given the power to grow phsycically and mentally through time (since we did originate as apes, then discovered the need to be less care-free). I think these emotions we have also developed through time, we did not start out feeling embarrassed about ourselves.
If anyone has seen the movie "Nell" it is a prime example of what I am saying. In short, the film is about a "wild child" brought up away from civilisation. She does not contain the emotions such as embarrassment or isolation because she was never taught them.

Ok, well, this may make little sense. If I can properly process thoughts then I will post them later.

There was a scientist a little while ago who said that emotions are just miss firing brain waves and that love is a mis fired brain wave that hits a nerve inside the brain, fear is another but he said that it was meant to hit it to protect ourselves

But want do i know

Sorry about the spelling its early or late
Hope that helped

i kno these parts are pretty scientific or whatever about how humans developed over time, and i dont really know if my opinion fits into that area but here is mine

i think that depression and love and pain and all that are just more ways of humans trying to improve themselves through a way that is almost unexplainable. what i mean is that by being in fear of something your protecting yourself right? so being in love with someone is your way of trying to give yourself that little extra boost that u need to to everything u've ever wanted and be happy. when your depressed you think things through more therefore defining everything around you so that you know your surroundings and can be ready for whatever happens next. then once u get everything figured out and have nothing left to think about and all that you'll be happy because you'll feel better about yourself.
so maybe emotions are a way that humans strive to make themselves happy, therefore being able to improve themselves more easily .... right?
e-mail me with what you think or something if you want. hope i helped

Generally emotions are the key in helping us find knowledge and overcome obstacles, though often times they can hurt more than they seem to benefit in the long run if you can handle it and learn from what you've accomplished then you will be the better man.

Emotions are litte more than learnt reactions i believe. I know people who are borderline sociopaths in that they can be utterly evil to other people and feel nothing.

So in my mind, emotions aren't natural...do you think children who've been raised by wild animals suffer from depression? NO, they only have fear and anger...they didn't learn the other emotions from other humans.

I think we make too much of emotions.

Just read these and wanted to note that you all have really impressing opinions relating to the post

Honestly I was expecting a bunch of crazies to comment saying "are you an effing robot" and such...

Anyway, I really appreciate all your comments, I read each thoroughly and much of the explanations were intriguing.

Compliments on:
Kevin- yes I agree. I suppose not all emotions are natural because how could they be? (i would bring out examples you included but I'm too tired)

shadowedpoet- I think I appreciated your comment the most.
everything you said made perfect sense and fit into the human reality which, as you had stated, we created.
I agree that certain emotions haven't evolved naturally, because they don't benefit our survival. When I include your thoughts I think we brought branches off of original emotions (like fear to sadness) and used it mostly to our advantage in the ways you described.

Anthony- i appreciate the hard facts recieved from an intellectual's words. I didn't know this was discussed over as a scientific matter and that was interesting.

Johana- interesting concept. I never thought of it as being a way to improve ourselves and the way you detailed your comment made it fit into real situations and discomforts, well said.

donald- another interesting opinion and it too fits, i appreciate your words, they were intriguing and explanational.

Tess- I think your comment fits into the concept of humans trying to improve themsleves. I also appreciated your opinion and it was logical as well as the others.

overall your comments were helpful and intriguing. I've never thought of explenations such as those, and they fit. I found them all very impressing, and you all impressing authors
overall, well said