[sandspar]

I'm reminded of how the story lines in professional wrestling are mostly faked, but the audience's feelings are real. From a pragmatic perspective, if a woman feels warm, nurturing feelings toward a doll, then... she feels warm, nurturing feelings. Which feel good!

[ralfd]

Heroin junkies also have warm and good (the best) feelings.

Emotions are a tool, not an end goal. And if emotions are manipulated or have no basis in reality it is a trap. To say it with Adorno "Wrong life cannot be lived rightly".

[sandspar]

Silicon babies extend our emotions of love. Would you say that love has value, even if it doesn't correspond to reality? For example, I may believe my dog misses me when I'm away, and love him for it. Am I ennobled by my love for him, whether he actually misses me or not? As in, might my love for him spread around, and make me more likely to forgive my neighbor or help a friend?