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Of course we could spend hours debating the exact definitions of the emotions we discuss here. We won't do that and just follow what distinctions are found in scientific literature.We used a distinction between basic emotions and complex emotions, or in other terms, primary and secondary emotions. So far we have scrutinized the primary emotions.We looked at them through our Darwinistic glasses. Let's check out what we see through these glasses , when we look at the secondary emotions.Although we are no definition freaks here, there can be made some clear distinctions between primary and secondary or social emotions.A first typical difference between the two is, that primary emotions can be experienced individually. I can experience fear, grief or joy all on my own, while secondary emotions need other people, a social context.We are talking here about the emotions shame, guilt and pride.A second difference between the two is, that the primary emotions are controlled by the evolutionary older parts of the brain like the amygdala and the limbic system.The complex emotions mainly reside in the neocortex - the part of the brain which is responsible for our cognitive functions - and more precisely in the prefrontal lobe.A third difference - and some regard it as the most important one - is that the social emotions are always related to what in philosophy and psychology is called the "Self".The concept of the Self or Personal Identity is a difficult philosophical subject and we'll save it for later, but it is clear that our awareness of an inner Self requires highly developed cognitive capabilities, like for instance self-reflection.Sometimes it is suggested that in every complex emotion at least one basic emotion is present, like you can experience joy when you feel proud, or fear when you feel guilty.There may be cultural influences in basic emotions, of complex emotions it is clear that they are highly influenced by culture.It is difficult to draw clear demarcation lines between basic and complex emotions like there is a fluent transition from basic almost physical disgust to moral disgust, which is mainly culturally determined.We'll focus in the next couple of lectures on the complex emotions Shame, Guilt and Pride, which Michael Lewis (1937 - …) called "self aware emotions". They require self-reflection.Michael Lewis's research has focused on normal and deviant emotional and intellectual development. Through his pioneering efforts in both theory and measurement, he has been one of the leaders in the study of emotional development.While the causes of basic emotions ( e.g. fear for snakes and spiders) may provoke identical reactions in most people, social emotions work quite differently.I could feel shame, when someone points at the fact that I "forgot" to inform the income tax about some earnings, while another would feel proud about his getting away with it.There is another peculiar relation: the relation between secondary or social emotions with obedience. What does that mean?No society without rules. If we wouldn't follow rules our social world would be a complete chaos. Maybe a kind of Hobbesian world.To solve the problem of social control evolution has developed a special mechanism. Some call it conscience. We constantly evaluate our behavior and the result of this permanent evaluation are the feelings of shame, guilt and pride. And this is the advantage of evolution of social emotions: we all have an inner police officer. He watches over our behavior.The rules and standards are not biologically inherited, but passed on by parents, educators, teachers and so on. It is cultural transmission, but our brain uses them for constant quality surveillance of our actions.This makes me think….. in an evolutionary sense our basic emotions have served survival of the organisms for millions of year,while our social emotions, which are closely related with our morality and mainly reside in the prefrontal lobe have an evolutionary much shorter history.Is this pointing at an explanation why morality is not 100% integrated in the system of the species, like fear?And that morality sometimes only looks like a thin layer of varnish that is easily broken, so that we are capable to atrocities, genocides, murder, crime and the like? Are we just a fist step in evolution?The discussion[13:24] herman Bergson: Thank you...[13:24] herman Bergson: You have the floor..[13:24] herman Bergson: Feel free if you have any question or remark[13:25] Doodus Moose: guilt experiences are written deeply within the brain....[13:25] Doodus Moose: but it seems there is not a similar mechanism for "forgiveness"[13:25] Doodus Moose: therefore guilt "accumulates"?[13:25] herman Bergson: INteresting Doodus.....[13:26] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): the basic emotion don't change much..while the morality changes a lot during the ages[13:26] herman Bergson: these secondary emotions are closely linked to primary emotions....[13:26] Clerisse Beeswing: sounds like selfish acts should accumulate too[13:26] Doodus Moose: perhaps if you feel guilty from being selfish[13:26] herman Bergson: a thing as forgiveness requires a high involvement of our cognitive powers....it is not an emotion...[13:27] herman Bergson: in guilt there always is an element of fear....[13:27] Bejiita Imako: aaa that can be true[13:27] herman Bergson: The fear to be judged by the group on your actions...[13:27] Bejiita Imako: like " what have i done now ill get shit for this!"[13:28] herman Bergson: But forgiveness is something completely different...[13:28] Bejiita Imako: ok[13:28] Bejiita Imako: hmm[13:28] herman Bergson: But on the other hand..it also is an essential feeling to keep society going....[13:29] Clerisse Beeswing: when as children to we develop that fear..what age?[13:29] Doodus Moose: i'm thinking about "self forgiveness" i guess - some manner to make the guilty memories less "well-written"[13:29] Bejiita Imako: to forgive is to accept what the one feeling guilty have done and say its ok sort of[13:29] herman Bergson: But I see no link with basic emotions...[13:29] herman Bergson: yes...a product of our prefrontal lobe then :-)[13:29] herman Bergson: You are sentenced to prison for three years...[13:30] herman Bergson: after that you are accepted as a normal member of the group again...(which you arent of xcourse)...[13:30] herman Bergson: Serving the sentence would be the forgiveness of the group...[13:31] Bejiita Imako: hi Jeroen[13:31] Jeroen Foss: :-)[13:31] Jeroen Foss: hello[13:31] Doodus Moose: forgiveness of the group - but the offender still has to live with what he's done[13:31] herman Bergson: I think here you see a fundamental difference between basic emotions developed in evolution and really cerebral social solutions to situations[13:32] herman Bergson: Something you don't encounter among social animals...forgiveness...[13:32] herman Bergson: That is what I mean Doodus....the perpetrator has to live with its stigma..[13:34] herman Bergson: I think that this makes clear that with a phenomenon of forgiveness we have left the real of evolutionary qualities of the homo sapiens...[13:34] herman Bergson: And entered the realm of ethics[13:35] Mick Nerido: Does shame guilt and pride get stronger in more in some societies than others[13:35] herman Bergson: Oh yes....Mick....[13:35] Mick Nerido: More developed?[13:35] herman Bergson: No..culturally determined....[13:35] Clerisse Beeswing: brainwashing[13:36] herman Bergson: Pride for Europeans is something completely different form pride for Arabs for instance...[13:36] Mick Nerido: Like a Japanese committing Hari Kari over guilt[13:36] herman Bergson: Yes...no european or American would do that...[13:37] Bejiita Imako: no[13:37] Mick Nerido: It is cultural there brains don't look different?[13:37] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): you mean 'harakiri'?[13:37] Bejiita Imako: hmm and we also have a very nasty situation with middleast people murdering their daughters for their pride when a 14 year old refuse to marry a 50 year old man that family haven't choosed[13:37] herman Bergson: Yes indeed......Mick...we all have the same brain.....[13:38] Bejiita Imako: have been lot of such cases in sweden[13:38] Bejiita Imako: honor murder[13:38] herman Bergson: But what we regard as standards and moral values.....these are not just evolutionary products...[13:38] herman Bergson: the cognitive powers are...[13:38] Bejiita Imako: its complex[13:38] Bejiita Imako: really complex[13:39] Bejiita Imako: pride can be good pride can be bad[13:39] herman Bergson: But it leads to the question...why do people differ of opinion even about basic things of life...[13:39] Bejiita Imako: depending on how it is defined for a person[13:39] herman Bergson: and then you are in the midst of the philosophical discourse :-)[13:39] Clerisse Beeswing: learning and education might have something to do with that[13:39] Mick Nerido: A mother dieing to protect her child is not cultural[13:39] Bejiita Imako: ㋡[13:40] herman Bergson: Education is indeed a crucial matter in this Clerisse..absolutely[13:40] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): depends what the education is[13:40] herman Bergson: But even there starts the philosophical debate ....What should be the content of that education??????[13:41] Bejiita Imako: yes education should be about actuyal fact otherwise u tend to brainwash people in things that isn't true[13:41] herman Bergson: Our idea could be...learn them to read and write and let them read what they want and then come up with their own opinion[13:41] Bejiita Imako: like religious sects[13:42] Mick Nerido: Didn't Plato say philosophers should rule?[13:42] herman Bergson: Yes Beertje..that is what I meant[13:42] Clerisse Beeswing: right professor[13:42] Bejiita Imako: ah[13:42] Bejiita Imako: yes[13:43] Clerisse Beeswing: but I am not saying some religious sects are bad[13:43] Mick Nerido: The writers of the text book decide[13:43] herman Bergson: another issue Mick..indeed[13:43] herman Bergson: But notice....[13:44] herman Bergson: we have moved from evolutionary based emotions and responses into the realm oth the neocortext....the part that makes us so human....makes us think...[13:44] Doodus Moose: (the part that torments us)[13:44] Bejiita Imako: yes[13:44] Bejiita Imako: i guess[13:44] Mick Nerido: Good point Doodus[13:44] Bejiita Imako: ㋡[13:45] herman Bergson: What counts here is that you have to keep an eye onhow our basic emotions coontrol our behavior[13:45] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): can we control our basic emotions?[13:45] herman Bergson: Yes Doodus....In that sense you could follow Sartre..[13:45] Bejiita Imako: and not just letting it speed away but stop and thing, is tthis the right thing to do?`[13:45] Bejiita Imako: think[13:46] herman Bergson: Only to some extend Beertje..fear is fear...and the responses are rpogrammed[13:46] Bejiita Imako: guess that is how we work basically[13:46] herman Bergson: we work in a very complex way Bejiita...[13:46] Bejiita Imako: indeed[13:47] Bejiita Imako: and what we learn decide how we toggle our instinctive emotions[13:47] Mick Nerido: I think basic emotions and secondary emotions are like geology what is deep inside is hidden but can cayuse earthquakes[13:47] Bejiita Imako: what is right wrong sort of[13:47] herman Bergson: We love to divide it in rational and emotional....but that is such a simplistic look at human behavior and the functioning of the brain[13:47] Bejiita Imako: thats just the basics i guess[13:48] herman Bergson: To some extend you are right Mick....[13:49] herman Bergson: Our basic emotions are faster than our rational responses..[13:49] Doodus Moose ponders [13:49] herman Bergson: First there is the fear.....[13:49] Bejiita Imako: indeed[13:49] herman Bergson: you react...[13:49] Bejiita Imako: thats why we often act before we think[13:49] Bejiita Imako: its like a reflex[13:49] herman Bergson: only afterwards you rationally reconstruct what you did as a response[13:50] Bejiita Imako: then we stop and "OOOUUUPPPS!"[13:50] Bejiita Imako: HEHE[13:50] herman Bergson: the response is not the product of the prefrontal lobe or neocortex....they only may have assisted as brainparts13:51] herman Bergson: ok...one down...^_^[13:51] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): lol[13:51] Bejiita Imako: hahaha[13:51] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): to much fear i guess[13:51] herman Bergson: 7 left..:-)[13:51] Bejiita Imako: ㋡[13:52] herman Bergson: Well...thank you for your inspiring participation......[13:52] herman Bergson: before others go down.....Class dismissed :-)[13:52] Ciska Riverstone: thank you herman[13:52] Mick Nerido: Enjoyed the class...[13:52] Bejiita Imako: ㋡[13:52] Clerisse Beeswing: thank you professor[13:52] Doodus Moose: always, thankful, Professor[13:52] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): thank you Herman[13:52] Bejiita Imako: aaa was nice the stuff i snapped up[13:52] Bejiita Imako: ㋡[13:52] herman Bergson: It was a good discussion![13:53] Bejiita Imako: really[13:53] Jerome Ronzales: :([13:53] herman Bergson: What troubles you Jerome?[[13:53] Jerome Ronzales: :P bad timing[13:54] Ciska Riverstone: read the blogg Jerome[13:54] herman Bergson: I see...[13:54] Jerome Ronzales: ok[13:54] herman Bergson: Dont worry..there always is a next lecture[13:54] Bejiita Imako: will check that too for the beginning[13:55] Jerome Ronzales: well its almost impossible to attend all the classes[13:55] Ciska Riverstone: bye all :)[13:55] herman Bergson: Isn't required Jerome...there always is the blog....[13:55] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): bye Ciska[13:55] Doodus Moose: "My brain - that's my second favorite organ" - Woody Allen in Sleeper[13:55] Bejiita Imako: cu CIska[13:55] Jerome Ronzales: ok[13:55] Jerome Ronzales: cya next time[13:55] herman Bergson: lol..Doodus....[13:56] Bejiita Imako: aa cu[13:56] Doodus Moose: feel myself - getting - transparent.......[13:56] Jerome Ronzales: thats a good one[13:56] herman Bergson: A lot of men in SL even don't seem to have a second organ[13:56] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): very true![13:56] Bejiita Imako: ㋡
Let's have a closer look at disgust today. We can make a distinction between the real, initial core of disgust and the more social form, that evolved from it.The primary form of disgust relates to spoiled food and all kinds of secretions of the body. It is again an emotion that orchestrates a series of behaviors.When we see something disgusting, and I'll save you the examples, we show a specific facial expression, we feel nausea or even vomit. A clear response of the organism on a threatening situation.Most important is that we want to keep it as far as possible away from our selves, especially from our mouth.Paul Rozin,who I mentioned in the previous lecture, did a nice experiment. He offered people chocolate. They refused to eat it. Why ????The chocolate was in the shape of a realistic looking dog turd. When our ancestors did find something that looked like feces, then it were droppings, not chocolate, so let's disgust.Your dog has a complete different opinion. When you take the fellow out, you have to stop at least every 50 paces, because our Fido needs to study the droppings or pee of a comrade with utmost accuracy.In the previous lecture I suggested the question whether disgust is typical human or not. Animals dislike and avoid certain tastes too, but is that a genuine disgust response?An important part of the human disgust reaction is the notion of contamination, a complex cognitive evaluation. We are very sensitive to it.Suppose I show you a glass of lemonade and dip a fat spider in it. I have informed you that the spider was sterilised. Then I offer you the glass. 99% percent chance that you refuse to drink it. The drink is contaminated and thence disgusting. This doesn’t happen among animals, nor in children under 5 to 7 years of age.Contamination is a strong effect. Paul Rozin did an experiment in which the test persons had to spit in their own glass of Cola. After that they refused to drink it.This contamination effect is often used in politics. There is a famous Nazi propaganda movie about jews - next shot you see rats crawling - then a group of orthodox jews again - the rats again. To qualify your opponent as trash, cockroach or rat is an effective way to mobilize the mob against a specific group in society. Disgust as a means to mobilize the mob.It is amazing that we still love French kisses: yuk….body fluids touching each other! However, we could say, that kissing always has been an evolutionary advantage.Husband and wife exchange their bacteria with love, which stimulates the immune system of the mother, so the baby is immune for the bacteria of mama and daddy both.And isn't it true that parents never feel disgust, when sweet little Tommy decorates mamma's dress with his vomit, or daddy has the honor to change a well done diaper?I could go on and on with all kinds of example of disgust, primary disgust and disgust also shaped by culture.But the most important evolution of disgust is, that this response is no longer restricted to spoiled food and our excrements, but also to moral situations.In this we are unique. When we ask people what they find the most disgusting, they barely will mention the objects of primary disgust like feces or spoiled food.They will refer to the latest events mentioned in the news: the child abuse by priests, rape, a horrible murder or bonuses for bankers and unlimited enrichment.I wonder. Has this basic emotion been the primary power in evolution to teach the homo sapiens ethics?The Discussion[2011/04/19 13:21] herman Bergson: Thank you... :-)[2011/04/19 13:21] herman Bergson: Feel free to take the floor ...[2011/04/19 13:22] herman Bergson: if you have any remark or question[2011/04/19 13:22] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): i think disgust is for our own protection..to keep our body healthy[2011/04/19 13:22] Zen (zen.arado): so disgust started as evolutionarily advantageous?[2011/04/19 13:23] herman Bergson: Yes Beerthje that was the primary goal[2011/04/19 13:23] Bejiita Imako: primairly I think so too[2011/04/19 13:23] Zen (zen.arado): to protect us[2011/04/19 13:23] herman Bergson: Yes Zen[2011/04/19 13:23] herman Bergson: Biologically interesting...[2011/04/19 13:23] Zen (zen.arado): or it worked out that way I should say[2011/04/19 13:23] herman Bergson: but now we also have amoral disgust...[2011/04/19 13:23] Zinzi Serevi: so when we had no disgust we would have less ethics?[2011/04/19 13:24] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): homo sapiens ethics would indicate a mystical scroll of proper behavior[2011/04/19 13:24] Zen (zen.arado): if you didn't feel disgust you would eat things that would kill you[2011/04/19 13:24] herman Bergson: No Zinzi..then we would have been extinct because of diseases[2011/04/19 13:24] Doodus Moose: it almost seems as though we should have another word (or term) for moral & learned disgust[2011/04/19 13:24] Bejiita Imako: I have a big such ones with swedish electrical companies like Vattenfall, the bosses behave bad and get the sack but still cause it stand in the papers[2011/04/19 13:24] Bejiita Imako: they get 100s of millions[2011/04/19 13:24] Bejiita Imako: that we pay on our electrical bills[2011/04/19 13:25] Bejiita Imako: manu families had to move out this winter cause they couldn't afford the bills to heat their homes[2011/04/19 13:25] Bejiita Imako: cause had to pay the bosses fat bonuses[2011/04/19 13:25] Bejiita Imako: grrr thats horrible[2011/04/19 13:25] herman Bergson: Let's stick to the subject Bejiita...[2011/04/19 13:25] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): could it be that disgust over a specified behavior coutl only be self reinforcemnt as to theri chosen belief system?[2011/04/19 13:25] Bejiita Imako: thats a big moral disgust for me[2011/04/19 13:26] herman Bergson: I understand...and I share it with you[2011/04/19 13:26] Bejiita Imako: but don't know if i feel disgust really, i more get angry[2011/04/19 13:26] Zen (zen.arado): wonders if it is valid to say it is the same disgust in the moral case. We could say it is revulsion, antipathy, dislike?[2011/04/19 13:26] Bejiita Imako: disgust i feel mostly with well spoiled food and yucky unhealthy unfresh stuff[2011/04/19 13:26] Zinzi Serevi: why disgust and not love ?[2011/04/19 13:26] Zen (zen.arado): but disgust expresses it more strongly[2011/04/19 13:27] Zinzi Serevi: or other strong feelings[2011/04/19 13:27] druth Vlodovic: is physical and moral disgust the same reaction physiologically?[2011/04/19 13:27] herman Bergson: Yes Druth...that is an important point[2011/04/19 13:28] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): it is interesting the mention of children under 7 years old not being disgusted[2011/04/19 13:28] herman Bergson: Moral disgust also has the same physiological effect....a slowing down of the heart beat rate[2011/04/19 13:28] Bejiita Imako: hmm maybe some for me, but for moral things i more feel anger and think " don't these people have morale, know how to behave"[2011/04/19 13:28] herman Bergson: Yes aristotle....[2011/04/19 13:28] Jerome Ronzales: existe a questio da salubridade, seja fisica o psicologica, ambas fedem...[2011/04/19 13:28] herman Bergson: Some use it as an argument against its evolutionary origine...[2011/04/19 13:28] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): taht would indicate a nurtured response to some degree[2011/04/19 13:29] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): a combinating ot the two[2011/04/19 13:29] herman Bergson: yes indeed....but also may indicate that the emotion needs time to grow in the organism[2011/04/19 13:29] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): to be exposed to the the revulsion?[2011/04/19 13:29] druth Vlodovic: I think there are different reactions to different types of moral breach, for instance you're angry at energy company bosses, but you might be disgusted by a homosexual (if you're against it)[2011/04/19 13:30] herman Bergson: Yes indeed Druth....that is the right distinction[2011/04/19 13:30] Bejiita Imako: something like that i guess[2011/04/19 13:30] Zen (zen.arado): disgust in the moral case could be evolutionarily beneficial too....disgust at moral breaches can be detrimental to societies..[2011/04/19 13:31] herman Bergson: Oh yes....[2011/04/19 13:31] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): homo phobis is very interesting as to its origins, and our understanding of it via primally and cerebrally[2011/04/19 13:31] Jerome Ronzales: errr[2011/04/19 13:31] herman Bergson: brute murders..child abuse...name it...they all threaten the safety of the group[2011/04/19 13:32] Siggi Ludwig (ludwig.john): and therefore you have to feel disgust[2011/04/19 13:32] herman Bergson: You dont have to Siggi..you just feel it..automatically[2011/04/19 13:32] Bejiita Imako: yes[2011/04/19 13:33] herman Bergson: The main feature of basic emotions is that they are not controlled by our ratio..[2011/04/19 13:33] Siggi Ludwig (ludwig.john): not automatically - Ghadafi does not feel it automatically[2011/04/19 13:33] Bejiita Imako: no its a basic instinctual drive[2011/04/19 13:33] Bejiita Imako: i guess[2011/04/19 13:33] herman Bergson: Oh yes Siggi...Gadafi feels fear[2011/04/19 13:34] herman Bergson: even before he evaluates his political position[2011/04/19 13:34] druth Vlodovic: they can be trained that effort, but often an old prejudice will surface if faced with an unexpected event[2011/04/19 13:34] Bejiita Imako: i hope they shot that bastard soon , have killed sooo many innocent people that wants freedom[2011/04/19 13:34] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): but allowing those destructive emotions to come to fruition is a cerebral failure[2011/04/19 13:34] Bejiita Imako: ghadaffi make me both angry and disgusted[2011/04/19 13:34] Bejiita Imako: what a swine he is![2011/04/19 13:35] herman Bergson: let's focus on the subject..:-)[2011/04/19 13:35] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): the ratio should keep our primal selves in check[2011/04/19 13:35] herman Bergson: what destructive emotions, Aristotle?[2011/04/19 13:36] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): all those negative aspects of our humanity, murder, rape , theft etc[2011/04/19 13:36] herman Bergson: As I said atthe very beginning.....the ratio is en overestimated quality in man[2011/04/19 13:37] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): still, I believe that humans must use rationality to control our primitive urges[2011/04/19 13:37] herman Bergson: When you study the history of philosophy...it looks as if mankind moved from one station to the next rational station...[2011/04/19 13:37] herman Bergson: Oh yes Arsitotle...[2011/04/19 13:37] Siggi Ludwig (ludwig.john): and then returned to the beginning[2011/04/19 13:37] herman Bergson: at the very end of evolution..it was our rationality that made us survive as homo sapiens...[2011/04/19 13:38] Zen (zen.arado): our 'primitive' urges might be wiser than our rationality :)[2011/04/19 13:38] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): and that the gift of rationality is only a empty box when we are born[2011/04/19 13:38] herman Bergson: otherwise we were just another chimpansee colony now, I guess..[2011/04/19 13:38] Bejiita Imako: yes, something like that[2011/04/19 13:38] Doodus Moose: rationality versus love? don't we sometimes choose to survive for the sake of our children?[2011/04/19 13:38] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): it is contributed to as we live[2011/04/19 13:38] herman Bergson: Well..it would have been more benificial for planet earth maybe ^_^[2011/04/19 13:39] herman Bergson: next lecture I'll tell you about John Gray..British philosopher...completely in line with my project..[2011/04/19 13:39] druth Vlodovic: we can use our rationality to make our emotions into tools to help us[2011/04/19 13:39] Zen (zen.arado): you mentioned the disgust reaction being manipulated to fool our rationality Herman[2011/04/19 13:40] herman Bergson: to some extend Druth[2011/04/19 13:40] herman Bergson: Yes Zen....standard method to mobilize the mob[2011/04/19 13:40] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): passion is a most wonderful thing, the sweet fruit of life, untethered it can be a nighmare for us and others[2011/04/19 13:41] herman Bergson: Call your opponent some disgusting being...rat, wurm, slime, shit...and the mob is willing to hit on him[2011/04/19 13:41] druth Vlodovic: it is often better to direct and channel our passions, then to deny them[2011/04/19 13:41] Zen (zen.arado): rationality untempered by feeling can be a monster too I think[2011/04/19 13:41] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): I can tell you Herman that in perparation for war, soldiers are routinely done the same way[2011/04/19 13:42] herman Bergson: rationality as such doesn't exist...[2011/04/19 13:42] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): the enemy must be a vile creature[2011/04/19 13:42] herman Bergson: nor feeling as such...[2011/04/19 13:42] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): so you can kill him[2011/04/19 13:42] herman Bergson: the brain is a constant battlefield between priorities[2011/04/19 13:43] Zen (zen.arado): yeh emotions and reason are intertwined some say now[2011/04/19 13:43] Zinzi Serevi: till next time, :) thanks Herman[2011/04/19 13:43] herman Bergson: Bye Zinzi[2011/04/19 13:43] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): we teach our soldiers to hate, to me that is disgusting[2011/04/19 13:43] Bejiita Imako: bye Zinzi[2011/04/19 13:43] Zen (zen.arado): bye zin[2011/04/19 13:44] herman Bergson: They need to regard their adversary disgusting Aristotle[2011/04/19 13:44] druth Vlodovic: but rationality is controlled, to an extent, consciously[2011/04/19 13:44] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): yes :([2011/04/19 13:44] Zen (zen.arado): but the original motivation is from emotions[2011/04/19 13:44] druth Vlodovic: doesn't that make it distinct?[2011/04/19 13:44] herman Bergson: Wait.....[2011/04/19 13:44] Zen (zen.arado): we want something and justify it rationally[2011/04/19 13:44] herman Bergson: an interesting remark of Druth....[2011/04/19 13:45] herman Bergson: rationality is controlled consciously.....[2011/04/19 13:45] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): LOL, go to a fire and brimstone religious revival and you will see the manipulation of emotions at work[2011/04/19 13:45] herman Bergson: this brings about a hell of a lot of philosophical questions...[2011/04/19 13:45] Zen (zen.arado): agree Ari :)[2011/04/19 13:45] herman Bergson: rationality..some autonomous machine....[2011/04/19 13:45] herman Bergson: consciousness...some controler…[2011/04/19 13:46] herman Bergson: We will face all these questions soon...:-)[2011/04/19 13:46] herman Bergson: Just such a statement shows how complex the issue is[2011/04/19 13:47] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): :) you raise so many tittelating things to think about Herman :)[2011/04/19 13:47] herman Bergson smiles[2011/04/19 13:47] herman Bergson: there is still so much in store Aristotle....[2011/04/19 13:47] Aristotle von Doobie (aristotlevon.doobie): the origins of this disgust just blossoms in my mind[2011/04/19 13:47] herman Bergson: What we are doing now is just loking at the world from a given point of view...[2011/04/19 13:48] Zen (zen.arado): titillation =opposite of disgust ? :)... poof…….!..[2011/04/19 13:50] AristotleVon Doobie: Herman crashed[2011/04/19 13:50] AristotleVon Doobie: back in a flash[2011/04/19 13:50] AristotleVon Doobie: wb Herman[2011/04/19 13:50] Beertje Beaumont: welcome back[2011/04/19 13:50] Jerome Ronzales: holly macarrony[2011/04/19 13:50] Ciska Riverstone: wb Herman[2011/04/19 13:50] Bejiita Imako: hehe wb,[2011/04/19 13:50] herman Bergson: Oh I HATE THIS....[2011/04/19 13:50] Bejiita Imako: that was fast indeed[2011/04/19 13:50] AristotleVon Doobie: yes amazingly[2011/04/19 13:50] Zen Arado: disgusted herman? :)[2011/04/19 13:50] AristotleVon Doobie: LOL[2011/04/19 13:51] AristotleVon Doobie: SL is disgusting sometimes[2011/04/19 13:51] herman Bergson: Yes Zen !!!! INDEED ^_^[2011/04/19 13:51] Bejiita Imako: good that, i often have to wait several minutes when i crash cause "region logging u out now please try again in a few mins"[2011/04/19 13:51] Zen Arado: yes me too[2011/04/19 13:51] Bejiita Imako: and then when i get back in im naked and a girl and cant use my invent without loading the test avatar first[2011/04/19 13:52] Bejiita Imako: happens now and then[2011/04/19 13:52] Bejiita Imako: frustrating[2011/04/19 13:52] herman Bergson: Yes Bekiita...if there is one disgusting thing in SL then it is such a crash ^_^[2011/04/19 13:52] Bejiita Imako: yes[2011/04/19 13:53] Bejiita Imako: esp when u are already late to some event say this class and want to get in as soon as possible[2011/04/19 13:53] herman Bergson: We are lucky that is is almost time to dismiss class ^_^[2011/04/19 13:53] AristotleVon Doobie: LOL, don't you just love being Ruthed[2011/04/19 13:53] Zen Arado: we are diluting the power of the word[2011/04/19 13:53] Ludwig John: now I have to log out from sl and to log in to my bed - good night and bye[2011/04/19 13:53] Bejiita Imako: hahah[2011/04/19 13:53] Bejiita Imako: ok night Siggi[2011/04/19 13:53] AristotleVon Doobie: goodnight Siggi[2011/04/19 13:53] Zen Arado: bye Siggi[2011/04/19 13:53] herman Bergson: thank you all for your participation....[2011/04/19 13:53] Doodus Moose: take care, Siggi[2011/04/19 13:53] Beertje Beaumont: goodnight Siggy[2011/04/19 13:54] herman Bergson: Class dismissed ...^_^[2011/04/19 13:54] Bejiita Imako: well was interesting stuff again Herman[2011/04/19 13:54] Bejiita Imako: gave me some stuff again to think about[2011/04/19 13:54] Zen Arado: thanks Herman[2011/04/19 13:54] druth Vlodovic: thank you herman[2011/04/19 13:54] AristotleVon Doobie: Thank you Professor :)[2011/04/19 13:54] Doodus Moose: thanks everyone, and you Professor[2011/04/19 13:54] herman Bergson: My pleasure doodus[2011/04/19 13:54] herman Bergson: We'll talk later, Doodus[2011/04/19 13:54] Bejiita Imako: cu soon[2011/04/19 13:54] Doodus Moose: till then, BYEEEEE!!!!![2011/04/19 13:55] Bejiita Imako: bye[2011/04/19 13:56] AristotleVon Doobie: as always, I leave with my mind in contemplation, Herman[2011/04/19 13:56] AristotleVon Doobie: thanks[2011/04/19 13:56] herman Bergson: Drive carefully Aristotle...[2011/04/19 13:56] herman Bergson: Keep your eyes on the road ^_^[2011/04/19 13:56] AristotleVon Doobie: good bey everyone[2011/04/19 13:56] AristotleVon Doobie: indeed[2011/04/19 13:57] Bilthor Esharham: Good bye everyone[2011/04/19 13:57] herman Bergson: `Bye Bilthor[2011/04/19 13:57] Jerome Ronzales: good-bye[2011/04/19 13:57] herman Bergson: Adios jerome :-)[2011/04/19 13:57] Bilthor Esharham: have safe paths and fare winds and honey sweet dreams[2011/04/19 13:57] Jerome Ronzales: hasta prof.[2011/04/19 13:58] Bilthor Esharham: ::))[2011/04/19 13:58] Bilthor Esharham: Namarie[2011/04/19 13:58] herman Bergson: hasta la proxima jerome :-)[2011/04/19 13:58] Jerome Ronzales: we can talk spanish but my main language is portuguese[2011/04/19 13:59] Jerome Ronzales: european portuguese[2011/04/19 13:59] herman Bergson: oh dear...Portuguese...too much for me...:-)[2011/04/19 13:59] Jerome Ronzales: yep, its not easy[2011/04/19 13:59] herman Bergson: oh yes...way more difficult than spanish[2011/04/19 13:59] herman Bergson: at least for me[2011/04/19 14:00] Jerome Ronzales: i find spanish funny to talk...lots of different words[2011/04/19 14:00] Jerome Ronzales: but hey, i love languages[2011/04/19 14:01] druth Vlodovic: bye guys[2011/04/19 14:01] herman Bergson: i love Spanish because I had 6 years of classic latin education...[2011/04/19 14:01] herman Bergson: Bye Druth...[2011/04/19 14:01] Jerome Ronzales: ah, very well[2011/04/19 14:01] Zen Arado: bye everyone :)[2011/04/19 14:01] herman Bergson: Bye Zen ..[2011/04/19 14:02] Jerome Ronzales: ciao[2011/04/19 14:02] Jerome Ronzales: :-)[2011/04/19 14:02] LadyJayne Resident frowns....."I missed class...sorry Herman"
Behind me you see the facial expression, which is, I guess, familiar to you. Eyes wide open, eyebrows up. In other words complete surprise about what he sees.This time we are dealing with a simple and pleasant basic emotion: an orchestra conductor, which steers all our actions into one direction:we need here and now immediate information about our environment, because we are confronted with something unfamiliar and odd. So, eyes wide open and trying to get a good look at it.We are surprised about something. An emotion, which is hard to study in an experimental laboratory environment and too innocent as an emotion to spend much research effort on.Yet it is an emotion, which is innate. Babies already are able to be surprised about what they see. From a philosophical point of view the emotion is also interesting, because all philosophical questions originate from marvel: huh… how can that be? Where does that come from? What is real? And so on.Often our surprise is accompanied by physiological reactions like taking a deep breath, feeling a shiver. This has lead to the presumption, that there is only a thin line between surprise and fear.It is indeed a fact, that when the surprising element looks threatening and therefor dangerous, our surprise changes into fear in a split second. A chain of reactions gratefully exploited by horror movies.But in general surprise is a positive emotion. We love presents. We love new things and above all we are so curious.From an evolutionary point of view it is understandable, that such a quality, to feel pleased when confronted with new things, is a nice drive to be a curious and exploring individual.However, it not always gives us a positive feeling. There is that relation between surprise and disbelief: you open the envelope and read the invoice for repairs on your car (What ???!!!!) , or your doctor tells you, that you have only three months to live (No !!!!???).A simple emotion, but in general focused on getting new information about the subject we are surprised about.A completely opposite emotion, which stimulates us to get as far away as possible from what we see or smell is disgust.This , however, is a rather peculiar basic emotion. People all over the world can have this emotion, but as far as we know, you only find this emotion in the repertoire of the homo sapiens.This could mean that evolutionary this is a rather "young" emotion. Besides that, this emotion is loaded with cultural influences, which makes it hard to identify its function in evolution.In The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals, Charles Darwin wrote that disgust refers to something revolting. Disgust is experienced primarily in relation to the sense of taste (either perceived or imagined), and secondarily to anything which causes a similar feeling by sense of smell, touch, or vision.Paul Ekman (born February 15, 1934) is a psychologist who has been a pioneer in the study of emotions and their relation to facial expressions. ("Emotions in the Human Face", 1982).He showed that contrary to the belief of some anthropologists including Margaret Mead, facial expressions of emotion are not culturally determined, but universal across human cultures and thus biological in origin. Expressions he found to be universal included those indicating anger, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, and surprise. And these are the basic emotions we are discussing here, because they are all generated by the brain.Be prepared for the next lecture, because it will be a disgusting one.The Discussion[13:20] herman Bergson: Thank you... :-)[13:20] Rentboy Benoir: thank you[13:20] herman Bergson: You had some remarks....I noticed...[13:21] herman Bergson: curiosity...innate or learned....[13:21] Rentboy Benoir: so disgust is a conditioned response?[13:21] Clerisse Beeswing: learned response[13:21] Athena John: I don't think so. It too is innate. We re repulsed by that which we find, well repulsive[13:21] herman Bergson: It would be if it were only learned behavior....[13:21] Rentboy Benoir: hmmmm[13:22] Rentboy Benoir: the reason i ask is because as i grow older the less things i find disgusting[13:22] Athena John: I would say SOME of it is. We LEARN to be disgusted by certain crimes for example[13:22] herman Bergson: Well next lecture we'll go into detail, but disgust is partly an innate behavior[13:22] Mick Nerido: I thought the link between surpise and fear is, well, surpising[13:23] Rentboy Benoir: i think that might have to do with our basal instincts[13:23] herman Bergson: Well it was Ekman who pointed at the possible relation Mick[13:23] Rentboy Benoir: l fight in this case[13:24] Rentboy Benoir: if a large predator stalking you jumps out, !) you're surprised 2) fear 3)run!!!![13:24] Mick Nerido: The facial expression is close[13:24] herman Bergson: Bodily reactions look a little similar when you see something new...nice or threatening...[13:24] herman Bergson: yes..you open your eyes wide for instance...[13:25] Athena John: But Rentboy, in your example, the fear can be trained to be repressed or channeled.[13:25] herman Bergson: yes Rentboy...something like that....[13:25] Athena John: Soldiers are trained to repress fear[13:25] Mick Nerido: Horror movies let us experience fear in a safe place[13:25] herman Bergson: and if I am not mistaken there are also predators that surprise their victims by special behavior or colors to fool them[13:26] Rentboy Benoir: i agree, but i was talking about something left over from our basal instincts when we were not as evolved yet[13:26] Rentboy Benoir: the reaction[13:26] Rentboy Benoir: the expression[13:26] Rentboy Benoir: its prolly because of that[13:26] Rentboy Benoir: you open your eyes to get a better look[13:26] herman Bergson: yes..there is a similarity...[13:27] Rentboy Benoir: i bet hearing improves a little too[13:27] Rentboy Benoir: then you a certain whether its a threat[13:27] Rentboy Benoir: and then you run for your life[13:27] Rentboy Benoir: if it is[13:27] Rentboy Benoir: idk[13:27] herman Bergson: and you pray that your are fast enough ^_^[13:27] Rentboy Benoir: lol[13:27] Rentboy Benoir: hmmm[13:28] Rentboy Benoir: interesting stuff[13:28] Mick Nerido: Peditors are more curious than vegetarian animals[13:28] Rentboy Benoir: i think maybe[13:28] Rentboy Benoir: the expression the child has is a result of that[13:28] herman Bergson: I don't know...[13:28] Rentboy Benoir: obviously its not fear[13:28] Rentboy Benoir: but it is new[13:28] herman Bergson: but I once saw a documentary about taming a wild horse,,,[13:29] Athena John: Is there a gender difference in this part of the brain: surprise/fear?[13:29] Rentboy Benoir: and i think that new = bad in the cave man era[13:29] herman Bergson: took only 5 hours , because the animal was curious...[13:29] Rentboy Benoir: unlikely[13:29] Rentboy Benoir: emotions are not gender determined[13:29] Rentboy Benoir: i think[13:29] herman Bergson: the person played with the curiosity of the wild horse....[13:29] Athena John: But their bain LOCATION vary by gender[13:30] herman Bergson: Well Rentboy...[13:30] Athena John: *brain[13:30] herman Bergson: research has shown that women and children are more sensible to disgust than men[13:30] Rentboy Benoir: hmmm[13:30] Rentboy Benoir: yes[13:31] Rentboy Benoir: but i still think these are conditioned responses[13:31] Athena John: We're more sensible ;)[13:31] Rentboy Benoir: learned[13:31] Rentboy Benoir: and women are meant to be more disgusted by things than men[13:31] Rentboy Benoir: its cultural[13:31] Rentboy Benoir: yet[13:31] herman Bergson: yes...that is quite well possible....[13:31] Rentboy Benoir: certain cultures , you'll find hardier women than men[13:31] herman Bergson: there is a lot of cultural influence with respect to disgust....[13:31] Athena John: How isthis cultural?[13:32] Athena John: and why can't I type? lol[13:32] Rentboy Benoir: amazons[13:32] Rentboy Benoir: they were tough cookies[13:32] Rentboy Benoir: a myth maybe[13:32] Rentboy Benoir: im not sure[13:32] Rentboy Benoir: lol[13:32] herman Bergson: Well Xenia was ^_^[13:32] Athena John: Fighting women exist. :)[13:32] Mick Nerido: Women bodybuilders[13:33] Rentboy Benoir: how is it cultural? well, in the west women are conditioned to be more senstive to disgusting things than men[13:33] Rentboy Benoir: from birth[13:33] Athena John: Soviet women fought hard in World War 2[13:33] herman Bergson: As you see...surprise as a basic emotion isnt that complicated....[13:33] Rentboy Benoir: its what make you all sensitive and all of that good stuff[13:33] Rentboy Benoir: yeah[13:33] Rentboy Benoir: russian women are tough[13:34] Mick Nerido: Comedy is always a surpise like when you laugh at a joke[13:34] Athena John: As are Japanese, who even now fight for survival[13:34] herman Bergson: I dont think that the toughness of women is related to either surprise of disgust...[13:34] Rentboy Benoir: no[13:34] herman Bergson: although some men find tough women disgusting...especially the bodybuilder types[13:35] Athena John: Or the warrior types[13:35] Doodus Moose: (threatening?)[13:35] herman Bergson: But there you see the influence of culture[13:35] Clerisse Beeswing: some men do love a girlly girl[13:35] herman Bergson: Yes Clerisse :-)[13:35] herman Bergson: More than tough types[13:36] Rentboy Benoir: what i meant was that i think that , lets say during war time, what may have seemed disgsting becomes a necessity(spell check) like maybe eating rotten produce, which in turn would prolly make them less disgusted with eating something off[13:36] Rentboy Benoir: in the future[13:36] herman Bergson: But I don't think that is a matter of disgust, but just personal preferences[13:36] Athena John: Good point[13:36] Mick Nerido: digust in taste can save you from eating poison food[13:36] Clerisse Beeswing: real life I am in between girlly girl and tough..so they must get over it[13:37] Rentboy Benoir: they get used to it[13:37] Clerisse Beeswing: when it comes to food..you ever watch andrew zimmerman the guy who easts almost everything[13:37] Rentboy Benoir: im no longer disgusted by a lot of things[13:37] Rentboy Benoir: age also plays a role[13:37] Mick Nerido: I love that show[13:37] herman Bergson: oh my.....that must be a disgusting sight Clerisse[13:38] Clerisse Beeswing: he easts bugs and everything[13:38] Mick Nerido: An acured taste[13:38] Rentboy Benoir: oh i could eat that[13:38] Mick Nerido: aquired[13:38] Clerisse Beeswing: or is he just curious[13:38] herman Bergson: I'll discuss the basics of disgust in the next lecture....maybe Mr. Zimmerman offers a good example[13:38] Rentboy Benoir: not for fun though[13:38] Doodus Moose: MIck - check the local bazaar in China[13:38] herman Bergson: Eating bugs is just a cultural issue....[13:39] Rentboy Benoir: i was once in a meat market in kashmir, that was pretty grosss[13:39] herman Bergson: so it is easy to learn to eat bugs[13:39] Rentboy Benoir: yes[13:39] Doodus Moose: precisely[13:39] Rentboy Benoir: yes[13:39] Ciska Riverstone: honey ants taste pretty good.[13:39] herman Bergson: wel....easy.....for some people[13:39] herman Bergson: For instance Ciska, yes....[13:39] Clerisse Beeswing: out of survival...well I might have to eat something I would never consider[13:40] herman Bergson: I have seen that once.....these ants are big bubbles of honey[13:40] Athena John: Yes in i many cultures, like mine, a delicacy[13:40] Mick Nerido: Any meat is disgusting to a vegetarian[13:40] herman Bergson: Well the examples exist Clerisse....canibalism for instance[13:41] Clerisse Beeswing: well I hope I never have to eat a human in order to survive..not just yet[13:41] Rentboy Benoir: you see that wouldn't bother me[13:41] Rentboy Benoir: if they're dead[13:41] Mick Nerido: Soilent green[13:41] Rentboy Benoir: its just meat[13:41] herman Bergson: Not my favorite food either Clerisse ^_^[13:41] Clerisse Beeswing: lol what a old movie[13:41] herman Bergson: Yes Mick...good movie![13:42] Mick Nerido: Not good eating lol[13:42] Rentboy Benoir: apparently human fingers are the tastiest bits [13:42] Rentboy Benoir: if you ever find yourself in that situation take dibs on the fingers[13:42] Mick Nerido: People are supposed to taste like pork[13:42] herman Bergson: You think so Rentboy?[13:42] Clerisse Beeswing: now don't tell me how you cook them..that would disgust me[13:42] Athena John: there is not much meat on the fingers[13:43] herman Bergson: Well Mick some humans behave like pigs indeed..so well possible indeed[13:43] Rentboy Benoir: because they are used the most, also its what a group of cannibals said when they were asked by an anthrop.[13:44] Mick Nerido: Remember Michael Rockafeller?[13:44] Doodus Moose: oh[13:44] herman Bergson: Well....I would suggest to look forward to the next lecture and a disgusting discussion afterwards...^_^[13:44] Rentboy Benoir: ok[13:44] Rentboy Benoir: lol[13:44] Mick Nerido: Thanks[13:44] Ciska Riverstone: *smiles* - thank you Professor :)[13:45] herman Bergson: So thank you all for your surprising contribution to this discussion...:-)[13:45] Rentboy Benoir: id like to see if im still disgusted by anything[13:45] herman Bergson: Oh you will be rentboy....easily even...[13:45] Rentboy Benoir: thank you Herman[13:45] Clerisse Beeswing: thank you professor..interesting enough[13:45] Athena John: I'm sure you are. It just must be found[13:45] Rentboy Benoir: ive seen a lot of things[13:45] herman Bergson: Not so difficult Athena ^_^[13:45] Rentboy Benoir: im pretty desensitized13:46] BALDUR Joubert: i need a old jenever now to digest all your stuff[13:46] herman Bergson: Cool...[13:46] Rentboy Benoir: not a good thing btw[13:46] herman Bergson: Thank you all...[13:46] herman Bergson: Class dismissed ...[13:47] Anja Tigerfish: ♥ Thank You!! ♥[13:47] Anja Tigerfish: ...DANKE :)))[13:47] Anja Tigerfish: .•:*¨☆¨*:• DANKESCHÖN .•:*¨☆¨*:• [13:47] Qwark Allen: ¸¸.☆´ ¯¨☆.¸¸`☆** **☆´ ¸¸.☆¨¯`☆ H E R MA N ☆´ ¯¨☆.¸¸`☆** **☆´ ¸¸.☆¨¯`[13:47] Qwark Allen: just got in time[13:47] herman Bergson: Yes indeed Qwark :-)[13:47] Qwark Allen: was interesting as allways[13:47] Qwark Allen: .-)))[13:47] Anja Tigerfish: ______ ()*"*()___[13:47] Anja Tigerfish: _____("(~¸¸~)")___[13:47] Anja Tigerfish: Müde bin ich,geh zur Ruh,[13:47] Anja Tigerfish: mache meine Augen zu.[13:47] Anja Tigerfish: Erst das Rechte,dann das Linke,[13:47] Anja Tigerfish: Gute Nacht und winke winke [13:47] Anja Tigerfish: •´¨*•.¸.♥ Bye Bye ♥.¸.•*¨`•[13:47] Ciska Riverstone: Nacht Anja - träum gut[13:47] Anja Tigerfish: Tschüss machs gut bis zum nächsten Mal [13:47] Anja Tigerfish: bye[13:48] herman Bergson: Nacht Anja ^_^[13:48] Qwark Allen: see you thursday[13:48] Anja Tigerfish: Namarie[13:48] Ciska Riverstone: bye qwark[13:48] Anja Tigerfish: Have all safe paths and fair winds and honey sweet dreams[13:48] Doodus Moose: Bless you all, as i am blessed by you all[13:48] Ciska Riverstone: enjoy your evening doodus[13:48] herman Bergson: bless you Doodus[13:49] Ciska Riverstone: bye herman :)[13:49] herman Bergson: Bye[13:50] herman Bergson: Well..been a long time no see Athena ^_^[13:51] Athena John: Yes, I haven't had time to come in world.[13:51] herman Bergson: I understand..
Joy and happiness are closely related, but they are not the same. While joy lasts often just a short time, happiness can last even days or months. This is a reason not to call happiness an emotion, if we use as definition for emotion a force that organizes and activates a series of behaviors pointing all in the same direction.So, we'd better call happiness a mood. Joy, on the other hand, is an experience of satisfaction. sometimes short,then again long lasting. Can joy be such a driving power? And what is the evolutionary advantage of joy?Joy boosts our energy. It is as if our body gathers all energy and is ready for new actions. We are willing to get new experiences, ready for new impressions and learning experiences.A happy mood enhances the sensitivity for certain stimuli, which facilities learning. A teacher, who is cheerful and makes a joke now and then, certainly creates a better learning environment than a chagrin. This has evolutionary value.The joy, you experience is the result of a positive thing, a thing that is good for our mind or body. The brain reacts in its own way by activating certain pleasure centers which produce several neurotransmitters like endorfines and dopamine.Thus as a support system for our survival and procreation the emotion of joy signals us that we are confronted with a positive and valuable situation and its message is simply: we want more…more … more…There is one interesting issue here. I can enumerate a lot of things that cause joy, but among these is also art….. a beautiful painting, a symphony.We know pottery, created by our ancestors, which is decorated with geometric patterns. Completely useless, it might appear. It doesn't add a thing to the functionality of the pot.Yet, from our early days on, the homo sapiens has created such things, which we call art. What evolutionary value it had, we don't know. Ok, you could say, that the aesthetic experience causes the feeling of joy, but that hardly answers the question, if you only call to mind the endless debate on the concept of beauty or the question "What is art?"But from an evolutionary point of view there is more to joy. The emotion of joy has a strong social impact. When you see, that someone is happy, you easily will feel happy yourself. This sharing of joy tightens a bond.It can increase the ease to cooperate, which again strengthens the cohesion in the group. And this is of course a big help in the evolutionary process.And cooperation was a key issue for our ancestors; hunting together, building together their huts, taking care of the education of children together, and so on.Brings happiness, whether it is an emotion or not - an evolutionary advantage? We always compare what we have with what we would like to have, or what others have and we don't have.The more reality approaches our standard or goes beyond it, the better we feel. This can be an evolutionary advantage: humans who try to improve their happiness all their life, have a bigger chance to improve their life than those who don't care about happiness.From an evolutionary point of view: then the happier your life is the better are your chances in survival and procreation and that is the drive of evolution: the survival of the species.The eternal drive to improve the conditions of our survival is in our genes, it seems. However, we may feel happy with our job and carreer, but unhappy in our marriage.Some say that happiness its the optimal functioning of our behavioral systems, like the job, marriage, the sport club, the group of friends.While one behavioral system runs perfectly, another one may suck. From an evolutionary point of view it means that we don't have one drive for happiness, but many, one for each behavioral system. Natural selection likes that.The discussion[2011/03/24 13:23] herman Bergson: Thank you....[2011/03/24 13:24] herman Bergson: If you have a question or a remark...the floor is yours[2011/03/24 13:24] BALDUR Joubert: EVERYBODY HAPPY?[2011/03/24 13:24] Bejiita Imako: YAY! (yay!)[2011/03/24 13:24] BALDUR Joubert: HAPPY?[2011/03/24 13:24] herman Bergson: YEAHHHH!!!!![2011/03/24 13:24] bergfrau Apfelbaum: ***** APPPPPPPLLLLAAAUUUSSSSEEEEEEE***********[2011/03/24 13:24] Anja Tigerfish: ^_^[2011/03/24 13:25] Bejiita Imako: feel good for sure[2011/03/24 13:25] herman Bergson: A happy sounding silence went through the classroom...^_^[2011/03/24 13:25] Bejiita Imako: haha[2011/03/24 13:25] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): is happiness a choice?[2011/03/24 13:26] herman Bergson: I agree ..there is little question about this all ^_^[2011/03/24 13:26] Bejiita Imako: aaa indeed but all u said is exactly how it is i'd say[2011/03/24 13:26] herman Bergson: No Beertje..it is a genetically implanted drive I think[2011/03/24 13:26] Bejiita Imako: when u r happy all is as it should be[2011/03/24 13:27] herman Bergson: The only interesting thing is what I said in the former lecture...[2011/03/24 13:27] BALDUR Joubert: yes but when in evolution and why did happiness occur... lets think before the arivalof mankind[2011/03/24 13:27] herman Bergson: for centuries man had the belief that happiness was only achieved in the Afterlife...[2011/03/24 13:28] herman Bergson: If the drive to improve survival conditions is the primary goal of organisms ..happiness was there before mankind ^_^[2011/03/24 13:29] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): so an animal can be happy?[2011/03/24 13:29] Mick Nerido: I think we want to be happy forever and can't in this life so we wish for it in the afterlife[2011/03/24 13:29] herman Bergson: I would say yes....[2011/03/24 13:29] Bejiita Imako: of course[2011/03/24 13:29] herman Bergson: Have you ever seen the cows leaving the stables after e winter period....[2011/03/24 13:29] Bejiita Imako: just look at a dog jumping around when it see someone it likes[2011/03/24 13:29] herman Bergson: they act like crazy…total joy and happiness I would say[2011/03/24 13:29] BALDUR Joubert: just dogs ?[2011/03/24 13:30] Bejiita Imako: aaa yes, that they do commercials of in the milk packages here in sweden to come and watch[2011/03/24 13:30] herman Bergson: no Baldur..we too :-)[2011/03/24 13:30] Bejiita Imako: a sure spring sign[2011/03/24 13:30] Gemma Allen (gemma.cleanslate): but does not happiness depend on the knowledge of happiness?? i don't think so about animals[2011/03/24 13:30] Gemma Allen (gemma.cleanslate): joy yes[2011/03/24 13:30] Gemma Allen (gemma.cleanslate): happiness mmmmm[2011/03/24 13:30] herman Bergson: Well GEmma...[2011/03/24 13:31] Kyra Neutron: wish all happy times...goes to find joy[2011/03/24 13:31] Gemma Allen (gemma.cleanslate): LOL [2011/03/24 13:31] Bejiita Imako: hahah[2011/03/24 13:31] Gemma Allen (gemma.cleanslate): Bye, Bye [2011/03/24 13:31] Gemma Allen (gemma.cleanslate): kyra[2011/03/24 13:31] herman Bergson: wen you say..happiness is a mood....a kind of stable mental condition..a lot of organisms can experience that mood of well being I would say[2011/03/24 13:31] Bejiita Imako: aa yes[2011/03/24 13:31] herman Bergson: Well...for instance..it is known of animals that they can experience stress[2011/03/24 13:32] herman Bergson: is even an issue in the bio-industry...[2011/03/24 13:32] Zephon: animals mourn as well[2011/03/24 13:32] herman Bergson: oh yes Zephon...[2011/03/24 13:33] Zephon: I watched a film a mother leopard mourning for 4 days over the loss of her still born cub[2011/03/24 13:33] Doodus Moose: Elephants seem to mourn their dead by handling their bones[2011/03/24 13:33] herman Bergson: yes...such things happen....[2011/03/24 13:33] herman Bergson: also well known of elephants....[2011/03/24 13:33] Zephon: if they can mourn they can feel joy/happiness[2011/03/24 13:34] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): i have a grumpy old parrot...it's no fun at all[2011/03/24 13:34] herman Bergson: I agree[2011/03/24 13:34] herman Bergson: anold chagrin , Beertje?[2011/03/24 13:34] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): yes..an old chagrin grumpy parrot[2011/03/24 13:35] Bejiita Imako: hahah[2011/03/24 13:35] herman Bergson smiles[2011/03/24 13:35] Bejiita Imako: does it swear at you all time?[2011/03/24 13:35] Mick Nerido: Is there a higherarchy of happiness?[2011/03/24 13:35] Bejiita Imako: hehe[2011/03/24 13:35] Zephon: When I lived in Panama I had a parrot the same .. but by times he was also very happy[2011/03/24 13:35] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): oh yes..when he gets his spaghetty time..then he's happy![2011/03/24 13:36] herman Bergson: A hierarchie of happiness...Mick.....?[2011/03/24 13:36] herman Bergson: I don't think there is an empirical base for that[2011/03/24 13:36] Mick Nerido: List the order of what makes us most happy for instance[2011/03/24 13:36] Zephon: I believe its a natural place for one to heal[2011/03/24 13:36] Doodus Moose: Maslov's hierarchy of needs?[2011/03/24 13:37] herman Bergson: yes I was thinking of that Doodus..but then we end up in all kinds of theories....[2011/03/24 13:37] herman Bergson: and we shouldn't…[2011/03/24 13:37] herman Bergson: what we may conclude is that happiness is a natural thing....innate in our system...[2011/03/24 13:38] herman Bergson: And related to survival in an evolutionary sense[2011/03/24 13:38] Zephon: So don't worry be happy :)[2011/03/24 13:38] Bejiita Imako: aa yes[2011/03/24 13:38] Gemma Allen (gemma.cleanslate): :-)[2011/03/24 13:39] BALDUR Joubert: happy days....[2011/03/24 13:39] Mick Nerido: Yes the happiest survive not the strongest[2011/03/24 13:39] herman Bergson: No..Zephon...it will come to you quite naturally....just follow your basic drives[2011/03/24 13:39] BALDUR Joubert: well not in japan i think[2011/03/24 13:39] herman Bergson: True Mick...[2011/03/24 13:39] Doodus Moose: :-)[2011/03/24 13:39] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): in Japan people are happy....[2011/03/24 13:39] Gemma Allen (gemma.cleanslate): they survived[2011/03/24 13:39] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): not all...but most of them are[2011/03/24 13:40] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): true Gemma[2011/03/24 13:40] Mick Nerido: They are a stoic people[2011/03/24 13:40] Gemma Allen (gemma.cleanslate): must be terrible tho[2011/03/24 13:40] Bejiita Imako: ah[2011/03/24 13:41] herman Bergson: Well....I guess you are all happy now...^_^[2011/03/24 13:41] Bejiita Imako: I am „ã°[2011/03/24 13:41] Zephon: well they decided to nuclear but i hope things return to normal again[2011/03/24 13:41] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): that's why i asked..is happiness a choice??...can you choose things among sadness..to be happy about[2011/03/24 13:41] Bejiita Imako: ok now I gotta go check out a thing a while[2011/03/24 13:41] Bejiita Imako: seems to be a lot of things today to check[2011/03/24 13:41] Bejiita Imako: hehe[2011/03/24 13:41] herman Bergson: No I wouldn't say that happiness is a choice....it is a way of being...[2011/03/24 13:42] Bejiita Imako: busy thursday[2011/03/24 13:42] herman Bergson: and you can bring it about or you don't…[2011/03/24 13:42] Ciska Riverstone: enjoy Bejiita :-)[2011/03/24 13:42] Bejiita Imako: true[2011/03/24 13:42] Bejiita Imako: cu [2011/03/24 13:42] herman Bergson: The organism seeks joy and happiness....in general...[2011/03/24 13:43] herman Bergson: It is in the genes...aiming at survival...[2011/03/24 13:43] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): ah ok..thank you[2011/03/24 13:43] herman Bergson: Well thank you all for your participation again today...^_^[2011/03/24 13:44] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): thank you Herman[2011/03/24 13:44] herman Bergson: Class dismissed..so..be happy ^_^[2011/03/24 13:44] Zephon: Thanks[2011/03/24 13:44] Doodus Moose: (will work at it )[2011/03/24 13:44] Mick Nerido: Thank happy to be here[2011/03/24 13:44] Ciska Riverstone: Thank You Herman - interesting as always :)[2011/03/24 13:44] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): laten wij allen happy wese....[2011/03/24 13:44] BALDUR Joubert: well we never got close to the question of survival by looking at the origin of organisms and happiness..on me way it became important but under what circumstances[2011/03/24 13:45] Anja Tigerfish: We have to say thanks[2011/03/24 13:45] Anja Tigerfish: Thank You!! [2011/03/24 13:45] Anja Tigerfish: ...DANKE :)))[2011/03/24 13:45] herman Bergson: Ok...next lecture will be about grief then ^_^[2011/03/24 13:45] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): somewere it has a beginning[2011/03/24 13:46] Doodus Moose: Thank you all - always enjoyable ;-)[2011/03/24 13:46] herman Bergson: thank you Doodus[2011/03/24 13:47] herman Bergson smiles[2011/03/24 13:47] herman Bergson: You all want more????[2011/03/24 13:47] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): yes..much more[2011/03/24 13:47] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): laughs[2011/03/24 13:47] herman Bergson: if that isn't a sign of joy !!!![2011/03/24 13:47] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): :)[2011/03/24 13:48] Ciska Riverstone: :-) sorry - was distracted - enjoy your evening all :)[2011/03/24 13:48] bergfrau Apfelbaum: thanks! herman & Class! i feel happy and content in this class :-) see u soon![2011/03/24 13:48] herman Bergson: Danke Bergie ^_^[2011/03/24 13:48] bergfrau Apfelbaum: ih habe zu danken![2011/03/24 13:48] bergfrau Apfelbaum: byebye all :-)[2011/03/24 13:49] :: Beertje :: (beertje.beaumont): bye all...see you all tuesday
