Register | Sign In


Understanding through Discussion


EvC Forum active members: 65 (9162 total)
4 online now:
Newest Member: popoi
Post Volume: Total: 915,808 Year: 3,065/9,624 Month: 910/1,588 Week: 93/223 Day: 4/17 Hour: 1/1


Thread  Details

Email This Thread
Newer Topic | Older Topic
  
Author Topic:   Emotions in Science?
Drew
Inactive Member


Message 1 of 79 (256323)
11-02-2005 6:05 PM


What does present-day science theorize about emotions, as to what causes them and why?
Example feelings being anger (with subs like jealousy or pride), sadness (depression, rejection, etc.), happiness (a feeling of acceptance or accomplishment, etc.), nervousness, deja vu, and nostalgia.
This message has been edited by Drew, 11-02-2005 02:29 PM

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by gene90, posted 11-02-2005 6:08 PM Drew has not replied
 Message 3 by mark24, posted 11-02-2005 6:31 PM Drew has not replied
 Message 4 by crashfrog, posted 11-02-2005 6:36 PM Drew has not replied
 Message 5 by Christian7, posted 11-02-2005 7:30 PM Drew has replied
 Message 23 by melatonin, posted 02-19-2006 12:32 PM Drew has not replied
 Message 70 by anglagard, posted 04-29-2006 2:37 AM Drew has not replied

  
gene90
Member (Idle past 3822 days)
Posts: 1610
Joined: 12-25-2000


Message 2 of 79 (256327)
11-02-2005 6:08 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Drew
11-02-2005 6:05 PM


Cuteness.
The perception of it seems like an eccentricity of our species (assuming no others could relate).

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Drew, posted 11-02-2005 6:05 PM Drew has not replied

  
mark24
Member (Idle past 5195 days)
Posts: 3857
From: UK
Joined: 12-01-2001


Message 3 of 79 (256335)
11-02-2005 6:31 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Drew
11-02-2005 6:05 PM


Drew,
What does present-day science theorize about emotions, as to what causes them and why?
They are behaviours arrived at via evolution, or are corollaries of the same, is the short answer.
Mark

There are 10 kinds of people in this world; those that understand binary, & those that don't

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Drew, posted 11-02-2005 6:05 PM Drew has not replied

  
crashfrog
Member (Idle past 1466 days)
Posts: 19762
From: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: 03-20-2003


Message 4 of 79 (256337)
11-02-2005 6:36 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Drew
11-02-2005 6:05 PM


What does present-day science theorize about emotions, as to what causes them and why?
It seems pretty simple to me. Being evolved from less intelligent, less reflective, less communicative beings, why wouldn't we still have the influences on behavior that governed those beings? That's one more potent indicator of the fundamental accuracy of evolution, if you ask me.
When cellular metabolisms evolved to utilize oxygen, they still maintained the anaerobic metabolic pathways that preceeded them. Even your own cells contain these less-efficient forbears. So, too, do we maintain the precedents of behavior.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Drew, posted 11-02-2005 6:05 PM Drew has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 13 by rgb, posted 02-14-2006 1:41 AM crashfrog has not replied

  
Christian7
Member (Idle past 248 days)
Posts: 628
From: n/a
Joined: 01-19-2004


Message 5 of 79 (256351)
11-02-2005 7:30 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Drew
11-02-2005 6:05 PM


Emotions in the brain have been shown to be the result chemical reactions alone.
However, I do not believe that it accounts for the conscious perception of those emotions.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Drew, posted 11-02-2005 6:05 PM Drew has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 6 by Drew, posted 11-02-2005 7:49 PM Christian7 has replied
 Message 8 by Ben!, posted 11-02-2005 9:02 PM Christian7 has replied

  
Drew
Inactive Member


Message 6 of 79 (256354)
11-02-2005 7:49 PM
Reply to: Message 5 by Christian7
11-02-2005 7:30 PM


I think this is probably the kind of answer I was looking for, just because I understand it. But what causes these chemical reactions?
I'm not arguing this discussion, I'm just curious.
Edit: This post was directed at Guidosoft.
This message has been edited by Drew, 11-02-2005 07:50 PM

This message is a reply to:
 Message 5 by Christian7, posted 11-02-2005 7:30 PM Christian7 has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 7 by Christian7, posted 11-02-2005 9:02 PM Drew has not replied
 Message 27 by inkorrekt, posted 02-27-2006 4:48 PM Drew has not replied

  
Christian7
Member (Idle past 248 days)
Posts: 628
From: n/a
Joined: 01-19-2004


Message 7 of 79 (256371)
11-02-2005 9:02 PM
Reply to: Message 6 by Drew
11-02-2005 7:49 PM


Emotions Chemical Reaction Brain - Google Search
Just look around. Meanwhile, I will try to find a decent article explaining in depth these things.
I got this book once called "the GOD gene". It explained religious experiences as just chemical reactions in the brain. It didn't prove God or disprove it, it just said about how religious experience is implanted in our genetic code and crap. So either God could have built this in (which is what I think), or the bullshit theory did it. You know the evolution theory.
Your probably better off getting full-length books than just random crap off the internet. They have alot of information and explain things in depth, unless you can find a decent e-book on the net.
This message has been edited by Guidosoft, 11-02-2005 09:05 PM

This message is a reply to:
 Message 6 by Drew, posted 11-02-2005 7:49 PM Drew has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 28 by inkorrekt, posted 02-27-2006 4:55 PM Christian7 has not replied

  
Ben!
Member (Idle past 1398 days)
Posts: 1161
From: Hayward, CA
Joined: 10-14-2004


Message 8 of 79 (256372)
11-02-2005 9:02 PM
Reply to: Message 5 by Christian7
11-02-2005 7:30 PM


Emotions in the brain have been shown to be the result chemical reactions alone.
However, I do not believe that it accounts for the conscious perception of those emotions.
Good point, Guidosoft.
Antonio Damasio separates between emotions (evolutionarily preserved behavioral sequences, typically governed by the limbic system) and feelings (conscious perception of those emotions).
Drew, I'd read some Damasio if you're really interested in the cognitive and neuroscience aspects of emotion. I think it should be accessible to an interested layman.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 5 by Christian7, posted 11-02-2005 7:30 PM Christian7 has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 9 by Christian7, posted 11-02-2005 9:37 PM Ben! has not replied

  
Christian7
Member (Idle past 248 days)
Posts: 628
From: n/a
Joined: 01-19-2004


Message 9 of 79 (256377)
11-02-2005 9:37 PM
Reply to: Message 8 by Ben!
11-02-2005 9:02 PM


Good point, Guidosoft.
Thanx. I am working on reading that PDF document btw. Interesting, but so far I see nothing that actually explains consciousness, just some interesting relationships.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by Ben!, posted 11-02-2005 9:02 PM Ben! has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 29 by inkorrekt, posted 02-27-2006 5:01 PM Christian7 has not replied

  
Drew
Inactive Member


Message 10 of 79 (256647)
11-03-2005 10:28 PM


I'll be sure to check up at that author, thanks for the information.

Replies to this message:
 Message 11 by inkorrekt, posted 02-13-2006 12:43 PM Drew has not replied

  
inkorrekt
Member (Idle past 6081 days)
Posts: 382
From: Westminster,CO, USA
Joined: 02-04-2006


Message 11 of 79 (286185)
02-13-2006 12:43 PM
Reply to: Message 10 by Drew
11-03-2005 10:28 PM


Chemicals and emotions
This is an important area of study. When my colleagues injected some chemicals in the brain, they were able to simulate aggressive behaviour. When they injected their antagonists, they were able to reverse the behaviour. The basis for this phenomenon is the role of Serotonin and GABA. I confirmed this finding by studying the synaptosomal neurotransmitter function. Serotonin and Gamma Amino Butyric acid(GABA) antagonized the behavioural function. We also observe that those who have nutritional deficiencies of Vitamin B6 exhibit some behavioural problems. What is the relation between emotions and behaviour? Emotions are reflected in behaviour. Serotonin plays a significant role in controlling emotions and mood.There are nearly 15 chemicals in brain which are known as Neuro transmitter substances.
Dr. Candace Pert has written a fascinating book entitled "Molecules and Emotions". In my personal communications with her, she strongly believes that emotions go beyond chemicals.There is aspiritual component to this. I will give 2 examples and leave it for discussion: We see lots of hard core drug addicts, porno addicts etc. turn around and this is reflected in altered behaviour. Once upon a time, they all had emotional outbursts of rage and anger. After they experienced Salvation through Jesus Christ, their emotions came under control. It is a total transformation. Yes, these changes correspond to intense Chemical activities and Electrical activities. It even goes beyond. This is a spiritual influence fromk God. This produces, Love, joy, patience, peace etc. Before this life changing experience, they were all experiencing uncontrolled anger, rage and bitterness. The spirit influences the heart. Then the heart influences Brain through Electrochemical activities. If you talk ot a Psychologist, he will laugh at you. Yet, this is the reality. Another example is in Exorcism.
This message has been edited by inkorrekt, 02-13-2006 12:46 PM

This message is a reply to:
 Message 10 by Drew, posted 11-03-2005 10:28 PM Drew has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 12 by AdminOmni, posted 02-13-2006 1:03 PM inkorrekt has replied
 Message 24 by melatonin, posted 02-19-2006 12:48 PM inkorrekt has replied

  
AdminOmni
Inactive Member


Message 12 of 79 (286189)
02-13-2006 1:03 PM
Reply to: Message 11 by inkorrekt
02-13-2006 12:43 PM


Off-Topic Alert
Inkorrekt, the topic of this thread is:
Emotions in Science?
What does present-day science theorize about emotions, as to what causes them and why?
Despite your paragraph of reminiscences about brain chemistry research, you seem to be attempting to move the thread off-topic.
If you wish to discuss the role of religion in the treatment of addiction, I suggest you propose a new topic.

Trust me.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 11 by inkorrekt, posted 02-13-2006 12:43 PM inkorrekt has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 30 by inkorrekt, posted 02-28-2006 10:14 PM AdminOmni has not replied

  
rgb
Inactive Member


Message 13 of 79 (286340)
02-14-2006 1:41 AM
Reply to: Message 4 by crashfrog
11-02-2005 6:36 PM


What are some advantages that emotions give to an animal? I can understand that emotion could sometimes help the young to survive by influencing a mother's response when danger is near her younglings, like an elephant mother desperately trying to save her child from sinking completely into a swamp, but how is this superior to certain maternal/paternal instincts that we see in lower animal?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 4 by crashfrog, posted 11-02-2005 6:36 PM crashfrog has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 14 by ReverendDG, posted 02-14-2006 3:42 AM rgb has not replied
 Message 15 by Omnivorous, posted 02-14-2006 8:59 AM rgb has not replied
 Message 17 by nwr, posted 02-16-2006 7:54 AM rgb has not replied

  
ReverendDG
Member (Idle past 4110 days)
Posts: 1119
From: Topeka,kansas
Joined: 06-06-2005


Message 14 of 79 (286351)
02-14-2006 3:42 AM
Reply to: Message 13 by rgb
02-14-2006 1:41 AM


well as far as humans and most animals, i would say they all are linked to survival, being that we are a social animal, the empathy for non-blood relelives is important if you have groups doing different things, such as protection or hunting. if we didn't care about others outside our young i don't think we would be where we are today

This message is a reply to:
 Message 13 by rgb, posted 02-14-2006 1:41 AM rgb has not replied

  
Omnivorous
Member
Posts: 3978
From: Adirondackia
Joined: 07-21-2005
Member Rating: 7.3


Message 15 of 79 (286379)
02-14-2006 8:59 AM
Reply to: Message 13 by rgb
02-14-2006 1:41 AM


Different solution, not a superior one
I'm leery of "lower" and "higher" comparisons of animals.
Perhaps it is more useful to think in terms of different strategies. Some creatures rely on producing mass quantities of young and provide no postnatal care whatsoever; some creatures produce single or few young at a time and invest tremendous amounts in their survival. Pretty much every strategic approach between these two extremes is utilized. I suspect the differences can be accounted for by the ecological contexts--past and present--in which each organism evolved.
As to the emotional state: perhaps the question is upside down. What is it about the physiological response which produces the emotion that is useful to the defending parent? Consider our own adrenaline rush and its conferral of hyperalertness, sharper response times, inurement to pain, heightened strength: the emotional element is our experience of that state.
As to more complex emotional experiences, I think the Rev is right on about their roots in our social existence.

"Dost thou think because thou art virtuous there shall be no more cakes and ale?"
-Sir Toby Belch, Twelfth Night
Save lives! Click here!
Join the World Community Grid with Team EvC!
---------------------------------------

This message is a reply to:
 Message 13 by rgb, posted 02-14-2006 1:41 AM rgb has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 16 by Silent H, posted 02-16-2006 4:38 AM Omnivorous has replied
 Message 19 by inkorrekt, posted 02-18-2006 2:13 AM Omnivorous has replied

  
Newer Topic | Older Topic
Jump to:


Copyright 2001-2023 by EvC Forum, All Rights Reserved

™ Version 4.2
Innovative software from Qwixotic © 2024