Emotions And Thinking

[LucyH]

Does getting very emotional cloud your reasoning? Or enhance it. Thanks

[chrisgel]

That's a very good question IMO but I'll have to think about it.

[pixie373]

I think getting emotional can overwhelm your usual reasoning and logic. Have you got a particular example in mind?

[sandyRoe]

I'd say it clouds your judgement. For example, someone in a rage might do something that they'd never do if they had their wits about them.

[chrisgel]

Yes Sandy but it's not all negative is it? I'm thinking of something I read years ago that emotion can generate extra strength e.g. The story of the woman lifting a car off her child.
I know that's not emotions but I think that at times of stress we can sometimes see things more clearly. I suppose it depends on which emotion we are considering.

[chrisgel]

^^thinking (not) emotions

[pixie373]

I think that's purely adrenaline, chrisgel. That shows emotion can overwhelm logic.

[Sharingan]

Yes it's the same principles that the Beserkers used in battle. Quite possible.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berserker

[chrisgel]

Yes it's adrenaline caused by the emotion of fear. I don't see where logic comes into it.
All I'm saying is that maybe there could be instances where heightened emotions could enhance reasoning. I can't think of an example yet but I'm trying.

[jim360]

Usually it does, but that's not always a bad thing. It's possible to over-think too!

[pixie373]

I don't think they can ever enhance reasoning. Will be very interested in any examples you can think of!

[neodarwinian]

Read Damasio's " The Feeling Of What Happens ' and you will see, due to modern neurology, that emotion and thinking and inextricably linked. Check the links between the cerebral cortex, especially the frontal lobe, and amygdala.

The cognitive physiologists, among many psychological disciplines, were wrong.

[pixie373]

I agree, him. I think you have emotions and logic for a reason and should use them together. Is the heart versus head conundrum

[pixie373]

Jim, that was! Not "him". Yes, of course they are linked. That's common sense