Paul Zak, PhD, discusses the 'empathy' gene: oxytocin

[CheddarBob39]

I NEED/WANT EMPATHY. GET ME SOME "OXYTOCIN!!"

[mastershake0505]

empathy connects us all, like a thought internet. its a very powerful tool

[OxytocinCentral]

Dr. Paul Zak is doing some very exciting research regarding oxytocin. As well, Neuroscientist Joseph LeDoux states that stress leads to confused and distorted thinking. It seems that considering that oxytocin is the "anti-stress" hormone, its presence may actually help us to think more clearly and be less impulsive, especially when we look at the mediating effect is has over the amygdala. More research and commentary can be found at Oxytocin Central

[Ice2watcher]

cool. thx for informing us.

[BarmaidAz]

one big chemical reaction ;-)

[dystopiafilm]

wow, that's interesting. I fund it quite scary sometimes, I mean; is there such thing as free will or is it all just one big chemical reaction?

[Darwyn43]

@dystopiafilm I can tell you dystopia, from my own research tradition and in pursuing questions like those for many years now, I believe we have misframed the question. The synthesis is that free will has parameters based on our biological hardware, cultural software and evolutionary context. Look to Jeff Hawkins' work that the brain functions as a "pattern-recognition machine," while Robert Wright, Francis Heylighen and Howard Bloom reveal the evolutionary context and purpose.