202 Self and the Phenomenon of Life
b2726 Self and the Phenomenon of Life: A Biologist Examines Life from Molecules to Humanity “9x6”What is particularly puzzling is how the brain resolves conflicting
feelings when experiencing art. For example, it has been recognized
since the Greek philosophers’ time that people enjoy tragedies despite
their sad endings. It seems a contradiction that a person can be happy
(enjoying the drama) and sad (sharing the misfortune of the protagonists)
at the same time. The issue can be resolved if we consider emotions as
occurring in layers (see Table 9.1). Those with global and long-lasting
effects override those that are fleeting. At the lowest level are the emo-
tions directly derived from instinct and sense organs. A sophisticated
audience, on the other hand, seeks higher-level gratifications — those
that can endure the passage of time, sometimes even of a “life-changing”
type. Thus, the empathic mood of Picasso’s Blue Period outweighs the
Table 9.1. Echelon of Emotions
(In increasing order of lasting and overwhelming effects)
First tier — Represents instinct-driven primitive urge; involves the brain stem,
the limbic system, and the emotion centers: (A) For survival of individual: Hunger,
thirst, appetite, gusto, impulse, defensiveness, fear, flight, panic, rage, aggressiveness,
menace, surprise, anger. (B) For survival of species: Sexual attraction and urge, lust,
bonding, mating impulse, brooding and protection of the young.
Second tier — Represents interplay of higher brain functions and primitive
urge; involves the prefrontal cortex, the associative cortex (parietal area), and
the emotion centers: Family and filial love, obedience, admiration, hatred, aversion,
grudge, joy, sadness, anxiety, jealousy, guilt, shame, regret, disdain, disgust, despondency,
animosity, thankfulness, friendship, comradeship, courage.
Third tier — Represents deep-rooted, sustained mood and sentiment; involves
a cortex-dominated global brain function: Depression, melancholy, worthlessness,
resignation, agony, blissfulness, compassion, sympathy, altruism, self-confidence, self-
esteem, assertiveness, fulfillment, elation, euphoria, ecstasy, composure, tranquility,
equanimity, serenity, adoration, devotion, patriotism, religiosity.
Note: The first-tier emotions are those outwardly observable, many of which such as craving for
food and sex can be satiated. Emotions in the third-tier are deep feelings that linger on for a long
time. The relation to survival and procreation is most obvious in the first, but is only subtly hinted
in the third. In reference to arts, those capable of arousing deep feelings (as in a tragedy) are more
touching and long lasting than those that merely induce superficial funniness (as in a situation
comedy). The third tier emotions include what some would call “life-changing” and what others
would consider “spiritual.” Because of language imprecision, the ranking is only relative; overlaps
are unavoidable.