Primitive animals exhibit linear and fairly predictable behavior because they lack emotions. The development of the cortex leads to consciousness, which in turn enables the formation of emotions. The significance of emotions in intelligence has only been scientifically recognized in the past thirty years. Experiences can accumulate in the connections of cortical neurons and influence future behavior. As a result, the same stimulus can trigger different reactions, leading to uncertainty. Mammals and birds exhibit quantum characteristics and obey the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
The Heisenberg uncertainty principle prevents the simultaneous determination of a particle's position and momentum. Position and speed are complementary variables; the more precisely one is known, the less precise the other becomes. This is similar to the idea of space and time in relativity, where space and time are intertwined into a single entity known as spacetime. This means that they are not independent, absolute entities; when one is enhanced, it automatically reduces the other one.
Although the poles of uncertainty are the temporal position (the moment) and the intensity of emotions, the same interdependence applies to the cortical brain.
Positive emotions uncover the moment in time, whereas negative feelings expose the extent of feelings. For example, the extent of anger or negativity (how far one is willing to go) can range from sadness to anger, aggravation, and even physical violence, but their origin is always old experiences. In contrast, positive emotions are the treasure of the moment, which cannot be accumulated or postponed for tomorrow. Hence, positive feelings produce immediate happiness, but their extent is a pointless question; only complete happiness is possible. In contrast to the immense variety of negative emotions, positive emotions invariably take the form of satisfaction and happiness.
The source of mental uncertainty comes from the structure of the cortex. Due to the memory capacity of cortical networks, any experience can significantly influence current behavior. The nonlinear response becomes especially evident with stronger stimuli. Larger incentives lead to a distorted, polarized, and sometimes extreme response: danger and bribe test one's resolve.
A heated gas fills a container, but mental energy is restricted by time. The measure of emotional temperature or emotional pressure is the degree of negativity. Negativity always originates within the self! Sadness, criticism, sarcasm, anger, or physical brutality are tools the mind uses to test its boundaries and the extent of its power within its environment. Although shockingly, people often start activities solely to produce even more stress, the mind conspires to keep its stress level stable. Because retaliation is proportional to criticism and anger, it helps maintain the temporal pressure, or stress level.
Picture credit: By Thierry Dugnolle
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Copyright © 2014 by Eva Deli
I stopped reading after the initial statement that animals lacked emotions.
ReplyDeleteMammals and birds have emotions but primitive animals do not. It is hard to emotionally connect with a fly or a worm, for example.
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