The noetic feeling of confusion

Feeling confused can sometimes lead us to give up on a task, frustrated. What is less emphasized that confusion may also promote happy (epistemic) endings our inquiries. It has recently been argued motivates effortful investigative behaviors which help acquire hard-to-get epistemic goods. While the motivational power of and its benefits for learning uncovered in recent years, exact nature phenomenon remains obscure. In this paper we attempt shed light value an experience are all familiar with: being at object, statement, etc. We first review psychological literature confusion, where it most often considered be emotion. then propose refined account by drawing metacognitive or noetic feelings, both psychology philosophy mind. Finally show how explain findings about role motivating deeper inquiry into complex problems bringing success these cases.