Greg Detre
Monday, 19 June, 2000
Prof. Rolls � B&B Emotion
function: God-given (like reason???), to elevate man above the animals???
emotions as value-giver???
LeDoux � the emotion reaction is the immediate direct connection, e.g. from the auditory thalamus � (at least partially) separate from the cortically-mediated signal, which forms the rational, considered component of our actions
hence there may be emotional responses made without cognitive participation, and emotional memories + impressions of which we are not fully aware
the more intense the amygdala arousal, the stronger the imprint, i.e. emotionally-charged memories are remembered better
discussion of emotions is one where the evolutionary/scientific and the literary/folk-psychology dichotomy seems most marked � there is an abiding reluctance to relegate our most intense and sublime displays of seemingly sublime phenomenology to a biological drive
still leaves the question (one related to consciousness) of where the phenomenology derives from � why/how is that when our limbic system goes into overdrive we are wracked with feelings of sadness, anger or frustration?
rather than, as Descartes put it, simply intellectually aware �as a sailor in his ship�
why don�t we simply have a sense of excess salt levels etc., as opposed to the prickling, driving qualia of thirst
perhaps the answer is simply of potency � that the phenomenology somehow compels us where mere set-points, as in a thermostat, are insufficient
perhaps it�s a question of flexibility � when an organism has evolved what amounts to, in nature, complete free will (the ability to act in a (seemingly) independent manner, without reference to (immediate/comprehensible) external/environmental compulsion/stimuli, within its physical limitations) � it can literally act as it likes � you need something which doesn�t necessitate, but does drive, the organism to act in accordance with its crucial homeostatic drives
anger
happiness (joy/euphoria), contentment
sadness, depression
fear
disgust, horror, contempt
awe, respect
frustration, disappointment
hunger/thirst/sex/sleep etc., i.e. motivations
curiosity, excitement, puzzlement
amusement, humour, laughter, irony
embarrassment, shame, guilt
pain, itch, tickle
love
hatred
friendship
nervousness
anticipation
memory
sympathy, pity, tragedy, empathy?
colour
revenge
jealousy, envy
pride
indignant
a separate modality; indefinable in terms of something else
emotion /I"m@US(@)n/ n. & v.
m16. [Fr. �tion,
f. �uvoir excite, move the
feelings of (after mouvoir, motion), ult. f. L emovere, f. e- e- + movere move.]
A ������� n. �1 A public disturbance; a commotion. m16�m18.
�2 ������ A migration; a change of
position. Only in 17.
b �������� A physical agitation or disturbance. l17�e19.
3 �������� Agitation of mind; strong mental feeling. m17.
4 �������� Any of the natural instinctive affections of the mind (e.g. love, horror, pity) which come and go according to one�s personality, experiences, and bodily state; a mental feeling. Also, mental feeling as distinguished from knowledge and from will. e19.
2b ����� shelley The winds of heaven mix forever With a sweet
emotion.
3 �������� g. huntington The colonel announced with emotion that this
was the happiest day of his life.
4 �������� a. storr Those who..have had a relationship in which
their emotions have not been deeply involved.
������������ m.
amis Without a trace of hatred or anger or surprise or any emotion I have
felt myself.
������������ j.
hilton He had shown so little emotion about anything.
B ������� v.t. Make emotional; imbue with emotion. l18.
������������ emotionless a. m19.
������������ emotionlessly adv. e20.
������������ emotionlessness n. e20.
difference between primary/secondary reinforcers
difference between motivation/emotion/mood (state) etc.?
can flatness of affect be a sort of emotional state, or is it simply an absence of/diminished positive emotional state