What are the underlying motivations behind love and hate? Can we delve into the intricate web of emotions we encounter and comprehend them through the lens of scientific understanding? Moreover, can we develop models and strategies to proactively combat the dissemination of hatred, likening it to a contagious epidemic, especially in light of the escalating acts of cruelty and torture witnessed in the turbulent region of the Middle East? These thought-provoking questions beckon us to explore the depths of human psychology and seek innovative solutions to foster harmony and compassion in our global community.
Creating a double spiral model of emotions with love and hate at the center can be an interesting way to visualize the spectrum of human emotions. This model assumes that emotions are not binary but rather exist on a continuum, with each emotion having a positive (love-based) and negative (hate-based) polarity.
A spectrum of human emotions
- Central Axis (0): Neutral – This is the point where love and hate are in balance. Emotions here could include indifference or apathy.
- Level 1: Spiraling Upwards (Love-based) – Mild affection, friendship, warmth. Spiraling Downwards (Hate-based) – Dislike, annoyance, irritation.
- Level 2: Spiraling Upwards – Fondness, affinity, attraction. Spiraling Downwards – Resentment, anger, hostility.
- Level 3: Spiraling Upwards – Love, passion, adoration. Spiraling Downwards – Loathing, rage, fury.
- Level 4: Spiraling Upwards – Deep love, compassion, empathy. Spiraling Downwards – Hatred, malice, spite.
- Level 5: Spiraling Upwards – Unconditional love, bliss, ecstasy. Spiraling Downwards – Cruelty, sadism, torture.
This model is a simplification and does not account for the complex interplay of emotions in real-life scenarios. The specific emotions and their order could vary significantly based on individual experiences and cultural interpretations.
The Graded Spectrum of Human Emotions
Numerous empirical models exist for classifying and grading emotions.
Out of these, two models stand out by offering a theoretical framework that aligns with general first principles. These noteworthy models are Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions and the Ortony-Clore-Collins (OCC) model.
Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions is a model developed by psychologist Robert Plutchik, which identifies eight primary emotions: anger, fear, sadness, disgust, surprise, anticipation, trust, and joy.
Here’s a brief summary of the model:
- Primary Emotions: The wheel is structured with four pairs of polar opposite emotions, forming eight primary emotions. These are Joy vs. Sadness, Trust vs. Disgust, Fear vs. Anger, and Surprise vs. Anticipation.
- Intensity: Each primary emotion has an element of intensity, which forms a gradient from the center of the wheel outward. For example, the emotion of “joy” can range from serenity (less intense) to ecstasy (more intense).
- Secondary Emotions: Between each of the primary emotions are secondary or complex emotions, which are combinations of the primary ones. For example, “love” is a mixture of joy and trust; “hatred” (“contempt”) is a mix of anger and disgust.
- Opposite Emotions: Directly across from each emotion on the wheel is its polar opposite. For instance, joy is opposite sadness, trust is opposite disgust, etc.
The wheel of emotions is often depicted as a colorful circular diagram, illustrating the relationships between these different emotions. It provides a visual tool for understanding our emotions, their intensities, and how they relate to one another. [Source: Plutchik, R. (1980). Emotion: A Psychoevolutionary Synthesis. Harper & Row]
“The Cognitive Structure of Emotions” by Andrew Ortony, Gerald L. Clore, and Allan Collins proposes a cognitive model for understanding emotions. The authors argue that emotions are primarily cognitive and arise from our interpretations and understandings of specific types of events.
The book introduces the ‘Ortony-Clore-Collins’ (OCC) model, which identifies 22 different types of emotions categorized into three groups:
- Consequential emotions: These are emotions related to the consequences of events. For example, joy might result from a desirable event, while sadness might result from an undesirable one.
- Action-based emotions: These are emotions that arise from actions. For instance, pride might come from approving of one’s own actions, while shame might come from disapproving of them.
- Aspectual emotions: These are emotions related to objects or people. For example, love might arise from liking someone, while hate might result from disliking them.
The OCC model suggests that these emotion types are not distinct categories but points on a spectrum. Each type of emotion can vary in intensity based on factors such as the desirability of an event, the praiseworthiness of an action, or the appeal of an object or person.
This cognitive approach to emotions emphasizes that our feelings are closely tied to our thoughts, perceptions, and judgments. It provides a framework for understanding why different people might experience different emotions in response to the same situation, based on their individual interpretations and evaluations of that situation. {Source: Ortony, A., Clore, G. L., & Collins, A. (1988). The Cognitive Structure of Emotions. Cambridge University Press] ↩
Fundamental Principles of Cognition
Underlying Complex Models of Emotions
Can we derive complex models of emotions, as the ones cited before, from fundamental principles of cognition? Theosophist Bhagavan Das postulates that emotions are desires, and that the two elementary desires are:
- i) the desire to unite with an object that causes pleasure; and
- ii) the desire to separate from an object which causes pain.
In other words, attraction and repulsion, like and dislike, love and hate, or any other pair of names that may seem best. The very word emotion indicates that in the beginning, at the time the word was formed, the desire-element and the idea of the motion and action consequent on desire were more prominently and truly present in the human mind(s) who first framed and used the word. Emotion is only a form of motion; motion towards an object, or away from it, in the mind, is emotion.
THE SCIENCE OF THE EMOTIONS
by Bhagavan Das, M.A.
[Annotated Outline of Ideas, by JB]
https://www.ngsm.org/agni-yoga/bd-sote.htm
Love, the desire to unite with something else, implies the consciousness of the possibility of such union. Its full significance is this: an instinctive, ingrained, inherent perception by each individual Self, of its essential underlying unity, oneness with all other Selves; unity in the Being of the All-Self, the Supreme Self; and the consequently inevitable endeavour of these individual Selves, these fragments of the one Self, to break through the walls separating each from each, the walls that have disrupted the original “one” into the “many” and thus merge into each other and [rebuild] the single whole. So too the full significance of Hate is the instinctive perception by each Self now identified with a larger or smaller mass of the Not-Self, matter of the non-identity, the inherent separateness of each Not-Self, each atom of Matter, from every other atom, every other Not-Self, and its endeavour to maintain such separate existence at all costs and by all means.
Bhagavan Das, The Science of the Emotions
E-motions are rational motions toward, or away from, painful (repulsion) or pleasurable (attraction) sensations. Emotions are desires either to perpetuate the situation if pleasurable, or to escape out of it if painful.
By defining emotions as rational (intelligent) motions, we’re essentially suggesting that our emotional responses are strategic reactions aimed at maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain. These emotions then fuel our desires – to either perpetuate pleasurable situations or escape from painful ones. The anticipation of either fulfilling these desires or failing to do so creates various feelings or moods. This viewpoint provides a unique lens through which we can understand our emotional landscape and how it influences our actions and overall life experiences. However, to comprehensively elucidate the complete range of emotions, an additional dimension must be included in the model. This dimension revolves around the dynamic interplay between the subject and object during the experience of emotions, delving into the intricate power relationship that underlies this experience.
| Power Relationship | ||
| Attraction | Repulsion | |
| Love | X = Y | Hate |
| Reverence | X < Y | Fear |
| Benevolence | X > Y | Cruelty |
Emotions as Rational Motions: A Strategic Approach to Understanding Human Behavior
Introduction:
The study of human emotions has traditionally been grounded in the realm of psychological analysis, often linked with subjective experiences and inherently irrational behaviors. However, a novel perspective posits that emotions can be considered as rational (intelligent) motions, strategic responses specifically designed to optimize pleasure and mitigate pain. This theoretical framework offers an innovative lens through which we can comprehend our emotional terrain and its influence on our actions and overall life experiences.
Emotions as Rational (Intelligent) Motions:
The paradigm shift from viewing emotions as spontaneous, uncontrollable reactions to considering them as rational motions may revolutionize our understanding of human behavior. By categorizing emotions as calculated strategies, we acknowledge their fundamental role in decision-making processes. Emotions, under this framework, are not erratic or capricious but operate under the principle of utility maximization. They serve as our internal compass, guiding us towards pleasure and away from discomfort, thereby playing a pivotal role in our survival and well-being.
Emotions Fueling Desires:
An integral component of this perspective is the relationship between emotions and desires. Emotions, in their capacity as rational motions, generate and fuel our desires. Pleasurable emotions instigate desires to prolong the gratifying situation, while painful emotions provoke desires to evade the distressing circumstances. This dynamic interplay between emotions and desires underscores the motivational aspect of emotions, driving our actions and shaping our behavioral patterns.
Anticipation and Mood Formation:
The anticipation of either fulfilling these desires or failing to do so gives rise to a spectrum of feelings or moods. The expectation of success or failure in achieving our emotional objectives significantly influences our emotional state. This process of anticipation and mood formation highlights the predictive nature of emotions, allowing us to prepare for potential future outcomes based on our current emotional experiences.
Conclusion:
Understanding emotions as rational motions provides a compelling framework for deciphering the complex world of human emotions and their impact on our actions and life experiences. This perspective not only broadens our understanding of the role of emotions in decision-making and behavior formation but also emphasizes the strategic nature of emotional responses. By recognizing emotions as calculated responses aimed at optimizing our experiences, we gain a more nuanced understanding of our emotional landscape and its profound influence on our lives.
Closed system model
The principle of utility maximization, when applied to emotions, suggests that individuals will act in a way that maximizes their emotional satisfaction or utility. In the case of cruelty, one party may derive some form of satisfaction or perceived benefit from exerting power over another, thus sustaining the emotion.
However, this dynamic changes when we assume the essential equality of all parties involved and remove external factors. In this scenario, the emotion of hate could indeed be self-defeating. If two equal entities are locked in a cycle of hate, they would both expend energy and resources in an attempt to overpower the other, leading to a zero-sum game. This conflict, if sustained, could indeed lead to mutual annihilation, providing no net gain for either party.
Thus, under the paradigm of emotions as motions of attraction and repulsion, sustained hate between equals does not maximize utility and is therefore not a rational strategy. It’s important to note, however, that real-world scenarios are often more complex and involve multiple interacting factors, which can influence the outcomes predicted by this model.
Open system model with binary inputs
External are undeniably present when considering emotions. If we simplify external forces into a binary categorization of ‘good’ and ‘evil’, then the dominance of one over the other could indeed determine the outcome in a power relationship. This model assumes that ‘good’ and ‘evil’ are clear-cut and mutually exclusive categories, which can exert influence in a predictable manner.
For instance, if ‘good’ forces predominate, the power relationship could potentially transform into a more cooperative or harmonious dynamic, reducing the intensity of negative emotions like hate and cruelty. Conversely, if ‘evil’ forces are dominant, the power relationship might become more conflict-ridden and destructive, potentially exacerbating negative emotions.
However, it’s important to note that this is an overly simplified model. In reality, ‘good’ and ‘evil’ often exist not as distinct categories but along a continuum, and individuals and situations can embody elements of both. Moreover, the impact of these forces can be subjective and context-dependent, adding further complexity to real-world scenarios.
Continuous model
From a theoretical standpoint, if the model is run indefinitely, even the smallest differential in power between ‘good’ and ‘evil’ forces could eventually determine the outcome. This is based on the premise that over time, even small advantages or disadvantages can accumulate, leading to a significant impact.
In this scenario, if ‘good’ has even a slightly greater influence, it could gradually erode the presence of ‘evil’ and vice versa. The process may be slow and not immediately apparent, especially if the difference in power is minimal. However, given an infinite timeframe, the predominant force, however marginally stronger, could ultimately shape the outcome.
Yet, it’s crucial to remember that this is a theoretical construct. In the real world, factors are constantly changing, and new influences can emerge, shift or disappear over time. Therefore, while this model provides a useful conceptual framework, its predictions should be considered with caution when applied to complex, ever-changing real-world scenarios.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, emotions are often described as primal survival instincts, originating from the pre-cortical limbic system, in response to external stimuli. These instinctual responses, when manipulated by terrorist organizations and irresponsible media outlets and social media, can have severe consequences. For instance, media outlets calling for a delay in gun-control legislation until emotions subside after a school massacre in the United States, while simultaneously advocating for immediate revenge in response to acts of terrorism elsewhere, are engaging in manipulative tactics that play on pre-cortical, limbic responses. Such tactics promote indifference when action is necessary and incite vengeance when measured restraint is appropriate. It is crucial to recognize and address these manipulations to foster a more rational and informed public opinion.
Based on our revised Bhagavan Das model, any outbreak of hatred between equals is self-contained. To prevent mutual destruction, the parties involved must reason and engage in negotiations after inflicting equal pain on each other. However, when an external force disrupts the balance of power, the outbreak can escalate into an epidemic of hatred, resembling a global conflict. It is only when the conflicting parties disarm, or at the very least, have access to equal means of harm, that a just and lasting peace can be achieved – one not imposed by external entities.
In an open system, there are two ways to halt the spread of hatred: a short-term solution being vaccination, and a long-term approach involving tilting the balance towards the forces of good over evil in the world.
The vaccine of goodwill. Once a critical mass of humanity is infused with the energy of goodwill, right human relations will naturally follow – the only foundation for a lasting and sustainable peace.
When the worldwide triangular grid of love overpowers the squared grid of hatred, then and only then will humanity have sealed the door where evil temporarily dwells on Earth, an evil of a cosmic astral source.
Humanity’s triumph lies in the moment when the global network of love’s interwoven triangles prevails over the divisive forces of hate. The Triangles service initiative promotes this approach to effectively safeguard our world from any potential pandemic of hatred, averting a third – and last – world war.
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