Knowledge+and+emotion

Everybody has emotions. Are they an obstacle to, or a source of knowledge? Emotions are important to everybody and affect decision-making. Some psychologists, and ordinary people, believe that emotions are more important than reason. Are emotions reasonable? Is there, or should there be a balance between reason and emotion?

According to psychologists there are six basic emotions- or primary emotions that are part of our DNA: Happiness, sadness, fear, anger, disgust & surprise.



There is obviously a close connection between our bodies and our emotions- the fact that you can recognise the emotions displayed in the facial expressions above is evidence of this. The James Lang theory suggests that emotions are physical in nature and bodily changes come before and cause, emotional changes.

This theory suggests that if you strip the body of all physical symptoms of an emotion, the emotion itself would disappear. However, the theory disregards the fact that our emotions have a mental as well as physical aspect- such social emotions include embarrassment, guilt, indignation, pride and ambition. The fact that you can worry over something in the future (such as a driving test) as opposed to reacting to a stimulus in your immediate environment (such as the fear you feel when you bungee jump) tells us that emotions have an important mental aspect.

__**Reading the mind in the eyes test **__

Simon Baron-Cohen's recent book The Essential Difference: Men, Women and the Extreme Male Brain proposes that "The female brain is predominantly hard-wired for empathy. The male brain is predominantly hard-wired for understanding and building systems."

See Baron-Cohen’s test: Reading the mind in the eyes test

 --- follow instructions and note; “Most people surprise themselves by how well they do in this test. Even if you think you don't have a clue, just choose the one that 'feels' right.”

The tests should only take a total of around 15 minutes to complete. When you get your scores, there is a bit more explanation of typical ranges for men and women. Don't take these tests too seriously – Baron-Cohen himself says in his book that the 'typical' results are only averages, and many men and women differ in their scores.

**NOW what do philosophers say about emotion and knowledge?**


 * [] How can one acquire knowledge through emotions only?
 * [] - Can computers have feelings?
 * [] Are women more emotional than men?
 * [] Is tiredness an emotion?
 * [] Can emotions and opinions be unethical?
 * [] - A question posed about a teacher that is emotionless.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">[] - Is it possible/rational to live one’s life without negative emotions?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">[] Can emotions and opinions be unethical?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">[] - A question posed about a teacher that is emotionless.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">[] - Is it possible/rational to live one’s life without negative emotions?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">[] - A question posed about a teacher that is emotionless.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">[] - Is it possible/rational to live one’s life without negative emotions?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">[] - Is it possible/rational to live one’s life without negative emotions?