Emotions Located In The Brain
By: Frank Vanderlugt
Emotions, those simple little things that tug at our “heart-strings,” and are said to separate us from the lower animals. Yet, they have baffled and befuddled scientists, poets and scholars since before recorded history. Why does a man love this woman (or man), and not this one? How is it that a grown man can be reduced to a blubbering child at the memory of his departed mother? Why do some people faint at the sight of Michelangelo’s Statue of David?
Centuries ago, Aristotle was one of the first people to make a detailed “analysis” (if you want to call it that) of human emotions. He came to the belief that different emotions originated from different organs of the body. All total nonsense, as we know today, but his theories did have an effect on our modern thoughts and language.
Ever heard the phrase: “What is the matter, don’t you have the stomach for this?” That comes to us from Aristotle. He believed that courage came from the stomach. And those big, heart-shaped candy boxes you buy on Valentine’s Day, same thing. He thought love was in the heart. Ever get angry, and have someone tell you they can tell how mad you are because they can see steam coming out of your ears? Yeah, old Aristotle again. He thought that anger was caused by the brain overheating.
Then, over time, with advancements in medical and psychological sciences, we came to understand that emotions are located in the brain. Yet, how did they work? Stop, think, ask yourself this: do you love your spouse? Okay, then ask yourself: why do you love that person? Can you define love? What does it mean to love someone? Scientists know that different parts of the brain are responsible for different aspects of our lives. Broca’s area controls speech, as an example. But, emotions, where are they? You might just as well ask where the soul is!
It is strange that, as easy as it is to feel an emotion, to define love, hate, envy, joy, is anything but easy. And also, it is equally strange how close the emotions can be to each other. How often has it been said of a divorced couple that their loathing of each other now indicates just how passionate their love must have been? Conversely, how many movies have shown two people fighting like a couple of wet cats in a sack one minute, and then in a loving embrace the next? Granted, that is an over-simplified portrayal of most relationships, but it is rooted in fact.
frank j vanderlugt owns and operates http://www.amygdula.com2 Amygdulacom
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