As a subject matter expert in the field of psychology and human emotions, I am well-versed in the nuances of how feelings and emotions intertwine within our inner experiences. To address the question of whether hunger is a feeling or an emotion, it is essential to first define these terms and explore their interrelations.

Feelings are often described as the subjective experience of emotions, which are the psychological and physiological responses to a stimulus. Emotions, on the other hand, are more complex and can be seen as a set of processes that include subjective feelings, physiological responses, cognitive processes, and expressive behaviors. They serve as a way for individuals to interpret and respond to their environment.

Hunger, as a concept, is multifaceted. It is a physiological need that arises from the body's requirement for nutrients. This need is communicated to the brain through various signals, leading to the sensation of hunger. However, the experience of hunger is not merely a physical sensation; it is also a psychological state that can influence behavior, thoughts, and emotions.

The sensation of hunger is a signal that the body requires nourishment. It is a basic biological drive that is essential for survival. But when we talk about the experience of hunger, it becomes more than just a bodily sensation. It involves cognitive processes, such as the anticipation of food and the planning of meals. It also has an emotional component, as the desire for food can evoke feelings of satisfaction or frustration, depending on whether the need is met.

The reference material provided suggests that an emotional experience, being a conscious experience, is necessarily a feeling, and this includes physical sensations like hunger or pain. This is because they have a somatic or bodily dimension. However, not all conscious experiences are feelings, such as beliefs or visual perceptions, which may lack this bodily dimension.

In conclusion, hunger can be classified as both a feeling and an emotion. It is a feeling in the sense that it is a conscious experience with a bodily dimension, signaling the body's need for food. It is also an emotion because it involves a broader set of processes that include physiological responses, cognitive appraisals, and can influence behavior and mood.

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An emotional experience, by virtue of being a conscious experience, is necessarily a feeling, as are physical sensations such as hunger or pain (although not all conscious experiences are also feelings, not, for example, believing or seeing, presumably because they lack a somatic or bodily dimension).read more >>