Larry,

we actually know a lot about what emotions are, from cognitive science, and what their purpose is, from evolutionary biology. And modern philosophers are aware of this research and how it bears on their theories.

Yes, emotions have to do with values, in part. They also alert us to dangers and nudges us toward pleasures.

The result you achieved by meditation can be achieved by cognitive-behavioral modifications, like those proposed by the Stoics, or by modern CBT.

While I sympathize with your view of the self, I made decisions contrary to my emotions all the times. I crave more food or wine than is good for me. And yet I can exercise veto over my emotions and practice moderation.

Addiction is not a good counterexample because we are in pathological territory. Even there, though, CBT is just as efficacious as pharmaceutical interventions.

I don’t buy any strong analogy between the human brain and AI, because I don’t think there is a sufficient structural similarity between the two.

The sharp separation you seem to make between emotions and reason is contradicted by modern research, and rejected by the Stoics. Reason and emotions are one inextricable bundle. That’s why you can “reason” yourself out of strong emotions (like my cravings mentioned above).