Pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth: religions have whipped up these emotions as deadly sins, as sentiments that must be shunned lest one strays from the right path. Science, however, does not look at them as outright negatives. It treats them as complicated ideas that have played a crucial role in humans’ evolutionary success, even made them what they are.
The scholarship on these concepts has grown over the years. Psychologists, anthropologists, sociologists, even economists, now study them through different lenses to analyse their role not just in human evolution but also in today’s times, in ensuring one’s mental health or financial well-being, for instance. They are conducting complex scientific studies to examine, explain and explore the rationale behind emotions.
They still do not understand them clearly or completely. How are emotions affected by cultures or genes or the brain? What are their key triggers? Do they have physical and mental costs? Do animals have feelings that correspond to human emotions? Are emotions just human expressions or are we engineered to experience them for some existential benefits?
Rohini Krishnamurthy speaks to scientists and authors to take stock of what we know so far, the historical debates around these emotions and the critical gaps in our understanding. The 32nd anniversary edition of Down To Earth documents these conversations that emphasise one point: emotions are innate to human existence and a part of their biological being.
PRIDE JESSICA L TRACY
Pride evolved in humans to help them navigate through hierarchy, improve status
Denne historien er fra May 16, 2024-utgaven av Down To Earth.
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Denne historien er fra May 16, 2024-utgaven av Down To Earth.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Trade On Emissions
EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a tariff on imports, is designed to protect European industries in the guise of climate action.
'The project will facilitate physical and cultural decimation of indigenous people'
The Great Nicobar Project has all the hallmarks of a disaster-seismic, ecological, human. Why did it get the go-ahead?
TASTE IT RED
Popularity of Karnataka's red jackfruit shows how biodiversity can be conserved by ensuring that communities benefit from it
MANY MYTHS OF CHIPKO
Misconceptions about the Chipko movement have overshadowed its true objectives.
The politics and economics of mpox
Africa's mpox epidemic stems from delayed responses, neglect of its health risks and the stark vaccine apartheid
Emerging risks
Even as the world gets set to eliminate substances threatening the ozone layer, climate change and space advancement pose new challenges.
JOINING THE CARBON CLUB
India's carbon market will soon be a reality, but will it fulfil its aim of reducing emissions? A report by PARTH KUMAR and MANAS AGRAWAL
Turn a new leaf
Scientists join hands to predict climate future of India's tropical forests
Festering troubles
The Democratic Republic of Congo struggles to contain mpox amid vaccine delays, conflict and fragile healthcare.
India sees unusual monsoon patterns
THE 2024 southwest monsoon has, between June 1 and September 1, led to excess rainfall in western and southern states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, while others like Nagaland, Manipur and Punjab recorded a deficit.
