12 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)
They're not precise scientific terms, but they reflect a general idea of how different aspects of our cognitive processes work. In neuroscience, we tend to talk more about specific brain regions and networks that are involved in these processes rather than using broad terms about the mind.
Also, the distinction between logic and emotions is not as clear-cut as it may seem. While it's true that some brain areas are more associated with logical thinking (e.g., the frontal lobe) and others with emotions (e.g., the limbic system), these regions do not work in isolation. They are interconnected and constantly communicate with one another, which means that our "rational" and "emotional" processes are not completely separate.
In fact, this review[1] has shown that emotions can play a crucial role in moral decision-making. For example, people with damage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, a region important for processing emotions, often struggle with making rational moral judgments and behaviour. This suggests that our emotions help us evaluate the potential outcomes of our choices, which is an essential aspect of logical thinking.
1: https://academic.oup.com/bmb/article/84/1/69/381112?login=false
On the other hand, excessive emotional arousal can interfere with logical thinking, leading to irrational decisions. For instance, when we experience strong emotions like fear or anger, our amygdala becomes more active, which can sometimes override our prefrontal cortex's ability to think rationally. This is why we might make impulsive or irrational decisions when we're emotionally overwhelmed.
Another example is how the pain experience is processed. When you receive painful stimulation from the outside, specific pain neurones send signals to the Thalamus, which then relay the signals to the somatosensory cortex (for conscious perception), the limbic system (for emotional experiences, such as fear), and the frontal lobe (for emotional suffering[2] and decision-making).
2: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK219252/
TLDR:
Comment by Beginning_Cat_4972 at 13/04/2023 at 23:30 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
From what I have read, any decision making requires emotion. Without emotion you can't even make the decision to brush your teeth because all of our motivation (other than basic biological functions) comes from some emotional experience.