Primitive animals form linear, fairly predictable behavior because they lack emotions. The evolution of the cortex gives rise to consciousness, the ability to form emotions. The importance of emotions in intellect has only been scientifically appreciated in the past thirty years. Experiences can accumulate in the connections of cortical neurons and inform future behavior. Therefore, an identical stimulus can produce a varied reaction, causing uncertainty. Mammals and birds display quantum characteristics and obey the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
The Heisenberg uncertainty principle prevents the position and momentum of the particle from being known simultaneously. Position and speed are complementary variables; the more precisely one is known, the less precise the other becomes. Although the poles of uncertainty are the temporal position (the moment) and the intensity of emotions, the same interdependence is valid for 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 originates in the structure of the cortex. Thanks to the memory potential of cortical networks, any experience can profoundly influence current behavior. The response's nonlinear nature becomes especially prominent with enhanced stimuli. More significant incentives produce a distorted, polarized, and even extreme response: danger and bribe test one's determination.
A heated gas fills a container, but mental energy is confined by time. The measure of emotional temperature or emotional pressure is the extent of the degree of negativity. Negativity always originates in the self! Sadness, criticism, sarcasm, anger, or physical brutality is the tool the mind uses to test its boundaries and the extent of its power within its environment. Although shockingly, people would start activities with no other use than produce even more stress, the mind conspires to keep its stress level constant. Because retaliation is proportional to criticism and anger, it maintains the temporal pressure, i.e., 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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