Understanding Human Emotions

by Lawrence Ian Reed

Why do humans walk upright on two legs? Why do we have two eyes and stereoscopic vision, opposable thumbs, and vocal cords? Scientists believe there is one answer to all these disparate questions - natural selection. Natural selection describes the way in which organisms evolve; those with the most advantageous adaptations live long enough to pass those adaptations on to the next generation through their genes. Most of us would point to the human brain, and the resulting human mind, as our most significant adaptation. But there’s at least one more critical tool in our arsenal of adaptions, one that we rarely consider or appreciate as a survival mechanism - our emotions.

In the 12 fascinating lectures of Understanding Human Emotions, Professor Lawrence Ian Reed helps us consider our emotions from an evolutionary point of view, exploring why we have these consistent feelings and physical responses to specific stimuli in our lives, and how they benefit us. Averaged over the course of evolutionary history, our emotions motivate us to act in ways that best promote our survival and reproduction. Without the full range of our emotions, we simply would not be here.

We all know what emotions are, and yet we find them so difficult to define. It’s not an easy question, and one that philosophers and scientists have been wrestling with for millennia. In this course, you’ll learn about many of the earliest written musings on the subject, including those of Aristotle, Darwin, William James, and more. Today, we recognize that emotions can be thought of as superordinate programs that coordinate subprograms in order to motivate adaptive behaviors. In this way, emotions function from an evolutionary perspective as solutions to recurrent problems faced by our ancestors over the course of history.

Genres: Audiobook, Psychology, Nonfiction, Science, Reference

Audiobook

Published November 5, 2021

Reviews

[Kevin Lopau · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lecturer has some good insights into psychology and other peripheral scientific material. All I have to say is that the existance of life is like the lottery is a weak argument. I have heard it in many lectures and I can't help but to roll my eyes and laugh. The other thing I want to mention is about when talking about love and the pain you feel when you lose it or are betrayed. The reason most people feel pain is not because they lost love but because they have been introduced to reality. That reality is the fact that they are only the center of their own universe and everyone doesn't revolve around them. The pain is not in their heart it's in their pride. If you are in love your life ceases to be about you and becomes all about them. If you are a good parent you know this feeling. You would do anything for them even if it put you in the worst and unimaginable position possible.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had a lot of interesting info, and Reed has a conversational tone. He definitely gets more at ease as he moves through the lectures. The first ones seemed read. Also, I wish someone would tell him that criteria = plural; criterion = singular. It started to grate on my nerves. What I really enjoyed about this one was the logic behind emotions, the utility they serve when used as they were meant, and how when they hyper-function, why it's a deficit. The last chapter on romantic love was pretty interesting too. I can't say I align with his interpretation of probability when it comes to evolution, but that's okay. He at least addressed (the theory of) evolution and its relationship (or complete lack thereof) with the law of probability, which many atheist scientists don't bother doing.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a lot of good information offered here, but something about the professor's voice makes it difficult for me to focus on the information being conveyed. Maybe I need to see this lecture since the professor talks a lot about facial movements and muscles. Maybe it was because it sounded like the professor was reading various studies to me. He didn't engage me. Your milage may vary.

I doubt that I will listen to this audio course again.

[Su3en · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Understanding Human Emotions by Dr. Lawrence Ian Reed, PhD. I found it insightful, well-spoken, well-structured, and quiet fascinating in information.

I listened to the lectures via audible for those that this format may make a difference in deciding. I personally enjoyed Dr. Reeds delivery of these insightful lectures.

[Jeff J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting treatise on the evolution of emotions over time via natural selection.

[Mark Stapel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible Book Added notes

[Scott Schmidt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was very 101 stuff. Has a few good pieces of information.