An excellent interview with a fascinating figure in neuroscience. David Brooks did a fine job with his line of questions. He steered the discussion but at the same time let his guest tell the story in his own words. Wow, we need more journalists like Mr Brooks.
@5:00 Francis Crick: the importance of theory @13:00 Decision-making and emotions @34:00 summary of individual differences in feelings @35:00 social emotions and morality @40:00 gambling experiment --> ventromedial PFC gives value to experiences.
Dr. Damasio is describing that we have the whole package of bodily feelings not only for basic but for social and complex emotions. And, this all is inherited from genes, in other words from nature. If it is true, than first of all they are universal; second these emotions have little to do with culture; third babies have these complex social emotions by birth. I find all three inferences (if right) confusing. Can any one shed light on that?
Great question, I've been reading/studying Damasio's work for some time now. I think he would argue that the primary emotions, those that deal with our basic wellbeing, like joy, fear, disgust, etc., and the social emotions, those that deal with our wellbeing in the context of a community, like love, jealousy, compassion, etc., are neural patterns set-up genetically, yes. But, I think he is going on to say that what triggers these emotions, especially the social emotions, can be attenuated somewhat by the cultural norms we learn. What provokes disgust in my culture may not in yours. But we both have the capacity to express disgust when triggered. As to your third inference, infants definitely have the capacity for basic emotions at or soon after birth but the social emotions will manifest as they mature and begin to develop relationships with others. I'm not sure I was too clear but I hope that helps!
The testimonials about other researchers who never had a lecture on emotions before 1995 and did not dare ore who did Not come to the idea that emotions actually might matter was sort of disturbing to me. With the ability of arts to grab our bushel of nerves to set them all on fire at once while grabbing your throat, .The variety of diciplines could have prevented the blind spots. I know what i know i know that there are things that i dont know, and I know that the world of things where I dont know anything about is always bigger. The ability to stay humble in lifeas in science is proven to be a good idea from 9:17 on
An excellent interview with a fascinating figure in neuroscience. David Brooks did a fine job with his line of questions. He steered the discussion but at the same time let his guest tell the story in his own words. Wow, we need more journalists like Mr Brooks.
@5:00 Francis Crick: the importance of theory
@13:00 Decision-making and emotions
@34:00 summary of individual differences in feelings
@35:00 social emotions and morality
@40:00 gambling experiment --> ventromedial PFC gives value to experiences.
Thank you for taking the time to create time stamps 😊
This was one of the most worthwhile interviews and Q&A I've seen in a long time. Kudos to the Aspen Ideas Festival.
Excellent deductive reasoning.
Dr. Damasio is describing that we have the whole package of bodily feelings not only for basic but for social and complex emotions. And, this all is inherited from genes, in other words from nature. If it is true, than first of all they are universal; second these emotions have little to do with culture; third babies have these complex social emotions by birth. I find all three inferences (if right) confusing. Can any one shed light on that?
Great question, I've been reading/studying Damasio's work for some time now. I think he would argue that the primary emotions, those that deal with our basic wellbeing, like joy, fear, disgust, etc., and the social emotions, those that deal with our wellbeing in the context of a community, like love, jealousy, compassion, etc., are neural patterns set-up genetically, yes. But, I think he is going on to say that what triggers these emotions, especially the social emotions, can be attenuated somewhat by the cultural norms we learn. What provokes disgust in my culture may not in yours. But we both have the capacity to express disgust when triggered. As to your third inference, infants definitely have the capacity for basic emotions at or soon after birth but the social emotions will manifest as they mature and begin to develop relationships with others.
I'm not sure I was too clear but I hope that helps!
44:50 when the first questioner references total pseudoscience new age quacks that Damasio has thankfully never heard of.
The testimonials about other researchers who never had a lecture on emotions before 1995 and did not dare ore who did Not come to the idea that emotions actually might matter was sort of disturbing to me. With the ability of arts to grab our bushel of nerves to set them all on fire at once while grabbing your throat, .The variety of diciplines could have prevented the blind spots.
I know what i know i know that there are things that i dont know, and I know that the world of things where I dont know anything about is always bigger.
The ability to stay humble
in lifeas in science is proven to be a good idea from 9:17 on