I have some pretty big issues with Darwin’s theory that human emotions are remnants of animal emotions that had once been necessary for survival. I have no idea how to prove any of my concerns, but I also feel that Darwin could never really fully prove his theory either, so here goes it.
First off, I would like to say that I love emotions and the fact that they exist. Because of this, in one sense, I am very glad Darwin theorized on emotions at all. He caused many others to continue the study on human emotions and that I am grateful for. However, I feel so strongly about emotions that I cannot accept that they are merely around because we needed them for survival. Second, I would like to say that the two main arguments I want to share come from a Christian perspective…so I apologize if that makes them irrelevant to some psychologists…or you… but it’s all I have.
My first argument is that God feels emotions. In the Bible he expresses jealousy, anger, love, joy, sorrow, etc. However, God does not need survival instincts to survive. He will never know an end for he is not bound by time. If God is the Almighty that no power could ever match, why would he need emotions for survival? And if humans are made in God’s image, are our emotions given to us purely for survival?
My second argument is more about purpose. Darwin argues emotions evolved from survival instincts. This would mean that the purpose for emotions was mostly selfish; something created for the self to protect the self. However, God and his love operates in exact opposition to this. His love is a love of selflessness, and his emotions follow suit. I do believe that God gave us emotions (as in Ecclesiastes we are told there is a a time for everything and many emotions are listed), but I cannot fathom that God would give us such emotions if only to be used in a selfish way. I believe that emotions are a gift from him that teach us to be selfless. With that selfless emotion we can sacrifice and risk which is the exact opposite of looking out for the self first to ensure survival. God’s love is sacrificial and risk taking. Emotions created to solely ensure survival does not speak a word of sacrifice or risk and I don’t buy it.
My last point is really not an argument but just something I would like to say. In the video we watched in class about Darwin’s theory on emotions, they said that humans show their teeth when they are scared. Well, I just simply wanted to point out that they only showed scared humans..on a roller coaster. Maybe that’s because humans don’t actually make those faces when their scared if they’re not exposed to great heights and winds.
Candice Watson on Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Resilience
10:10 pm, 02.21.11
Isn’t it crazy how much he endured? I think you are so right that his childhood gave him unique insight on what one might need in child rearing and education. Of course his ideas seem to be extreme, but his life was so extreme that this makes perfect sense to me. I appreciate your thoughts.
Candice Watson on Priorities
1:48 pm, 02.02.11
Very interesting that he believed all theories led to the search for happiness. I can see where he is coming from for sure, but I’m not sure I agree completely. I am glad he clarified that he did not mean happiness in a selfish, pleasure-seeking way. I think maybe I do agree with this theory, but it is the word happiness that is throwing me off. To me happiness can still be empty. I have been happy, and felt incomplete. I think the last quote hits it a little better: “the settling of the soul.” To me, this would mean when your soul feels complete. Full. Satisfied. It is a little more meaty than the word “happy” to me. Interesting thought though and I loved your thoughts on priorities.
Candice Watson on Plato and Aristotle: The Relationship of Teacher and Student
1:32 pm, 02.02.11
It does feel stagnant at times, but it is hard to see change when you’re in the middle of it. You’re right, because of this it is even more important that we must keep an open mind to challenge the widely accepted views around us. My Child Psychology class was really great in that our professor was always asking us which theory we agreed with or disagreed with most. It challenged me to really think about what I believe and I really benefited from taking that extra step to ask myself after lectures, do I think this is true? I greatly appreciate my professor for this.
Candice Watson on A second look at "The Cave"
1:20 pm, 02.02.11
Very interesting! I’m glad you shared this. This explanation does make a lot of sense. I’m like you, I don’t agree with Plato, but this does seem to fit his theory nicely. This makes me think from a Christian perspective who would fit under which category. Obviously God would be the one to enlighten others..humans who choose to believe would be the military class maybe unless given the Holy Spirit..and those doomed to ignorance would be those who never choose to believe and are enslaved to sin? Just some thoughts. It doesn’t fit exactly but just interesting to think about!
Candice Watson on The Greeks on Sleep & Dreaming
1:12 pm, 02.02.11
This is definitely an interesting topic that I think many people would love solid answers to. I wonder if Plato is referring to our subconscious when he speaks of the “wild and lawless kind of desire” that “becomes obvious in our sleep”. I know that I have had some pretty crazy dreams but I’m with you, I’m not sure about his philosophy. I don’t think that I would say that I desire some of the things I dream about. Actually I’ve heard that people who have really bad nightmares may sometimes be struggling with anxiety, more than they are consciously aware of. So maybe the wildness isn’t necessarily some sort of desire but a restlessness within the person. I just think there could be many other causes besides “wild desire within”. I liked some of the other things he said about the lack of reason in the organization of dreams and the oddness of images. I appreciate this post, I like reading different theories on dreams.