The Nature of the Beast: How Emotions Guide Us
- Downloads：2840
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-04-07 03:19:56
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：David Anderson
- ISBN：1541674634
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Jenny Bell
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Emotions in general are very hard to map and research， even in humans where we can ask individuals how they are feeling while running brain scans。 In animals where we can't even scientifically confirm if they are capable of experiencing emotions， it's almost impossible。 Almost。 David Andersen shows that by studying fruit flies and mice it is possible to map some neural pathways that can lead to tremendous advances in human healthcare and understanding。 I think it is important to note that this b Emotions in general are very hard to map and research， even in humans where we can ask individuals how they are feeling while running brain scans。 In animals where we can't even scientifically confirm if they are capable of experiencing emotions， it's almost impossible。 Almost。 David Andersen shows that by studying fruit flies and mice it is possible to map some neural pathways that can lead to tremendous advances in human healthcare and understanding。 I think it is important to note that this book is not full of light-hearted examples of animal emotions， it focuses primarily on the research behind identifying which neurons control different responses such as fear and aggression。 A lot of time is spent explaining the differences between emotions and feelings， and many points are reiterated several times （which may serve to help remind people of key points they've already read but did slow down the pacing）。 I loved the instances where the author's personality shone， such as when he inserted his own stories or anecdotes about his cats， wife， and reaction to hearing a rattlesnake。 I also really like how it delves into exposing some of the problems in our own pharmaceutical and healthcare systems。 One thing I didn't care for was the random comment on chimpanzees feeling depressed in zoo settings， especially knowing first-hand how much care goes into making sure they receive as much stimulating enrichment and as varied an environment as possible。 But I recognize that's a controversial topic， much as laboratory research on animals， in general， is also not always viewed as favorable。 Overall I thought it was a well-written and engaging look at the science behind why animals act certain ways。 I would recommend it to researchers， educators， or anyone wanting to look scientifically into brain processes and emotion。 The graphs and visual tables helped illustrate points， and every effort was made to explain things in a way most individuals can grasp。 I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley。 。。。more
Melanie
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