The Evolution of Emotions - Dacher Keltner

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/11/08/Does_Darwin_Illuminate_Emotion_and_Spirituality

Born to Be Good author Dacher Keltner introduces the Darwinian principle of antithesis, which attempts to explain body language. He relates the principle to strength, modesty, anger, love, spirituality, and stress.

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Does Darwin Illuminate Emotion and Spirituality?: A Discussion with Dacher Keltner and Paul Ekman. Recorded in collaboration with Wonderfest, in Berkeley, CA, on November 8, 2009.

Wonderfest, the Bay Area Festival of Science, is held each year in the beginning of November. Enjoy fascinating discussions between world-class scientists on cutting edge topics, as well as other fun exhibitions. Visit Wonderfest.org and join.

Dacher Keltner, Professor of Psychology, is a social psychologist who focuses on the prosocial emotions, such as love, sympathy and gratitude, and processes such as teasing and flirtation that enhance bonds.

He has conducted empirical studies in three areas of inquiry. A first looks at the determinant and effects of power, hierarchy and social class. A second in concerned with the morality of everyday life, and how we negotiate moral truths in teasing, gossip, and other reputational matters. A third and primary focus in on the biological and evolutionary basis of the benevolent affects, including compassion, awe, love, gratitude, and laughter and modesty.

Professor Keltner is Co-Director of The Greater Good Science Center.

Category:

Science & Technology

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• darwin
• theory
• evolution
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• humans
• humanity
• communication
• body
• language
• face
• facial
• expressions
• science
• biology
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[freesk8]

Jefferson owned slaves, yet he was a key figure in gaining our freedoms. MLK jr plagiarized his masters thesis and slept around on his wife, yet we recognize him as a great civil rights leader. Gandhi was a terrible father, yet we think of him as a great peace leader.

So what if Darwin was a racist? I agree that's a flaw, but it does not detract from what he is considered great for: the Theory of Evolution by natural selection.

Darwin was a great man, and flawed like the rest of us.

[sexyloser]

Intelligence and morality don't evolve suddenly. They evolve slowly over millions of years if not longer.

If your disbelief in human evolution is based on a supposedly "sudden" emergence of intelligence and morality, then I'm afraid your disbelief is entirely baseless.

[thefarewell]

why is he soo insecure of what he is saying?

or is it just the american english that you have to pause after every word?

[esraretin]

@aussieyimon Did we invent god rather than the other way around?

if u know the answer, wht would change?

[aussieyimon]

Regardless of whether you believe in astrology or not (I only read it for amusement of to have a laugh with people) but regardless of your belief in it, do you think that very soon we will either conclusively prove or disprove the existence of a divine being(s).

I'm agnostic, NOT atheist but currently feel closer to atheism than religiousity...but as long as the answer creates a positive change for humans, I would be fascinated by the answer either way...

[aussieyimon]

I don't really think astrology has much merit, and so I don't really think that 2012 will signify any catastrophe, but since this is the "information age" and depending on which astrological calendar you believe, we have started or about to start the Age of Aquarius - meant to signify an universal change in human society and knowledge...also the end of Pisces the age where piety is very strong.

[aussieyimon]

OMG this is fascinating.

But what came first?

The notion or state of reverence or the "small, submissive" position which signifies it?

Did we invent god rather than the other way around?

[patrickledford420]

@freesk8 i dont know where he said they were "less evolved" because there isnt really anything more evolved, would you give me the quote or point me where i could find it. also im sure your aware that he might have thought that but he wasnt a racist, he criticized his people for enslaving and killing tribal people

[itsjdmonroe]

looks like someone is trying to copy Helen Fisher... hair and all.

[MrKennyBones]

"One day, a hominid woke up with intellect and a sense of morality"

This is actually not completely true :) A single individual didn't wake up with intellect and morality. This must have collectively with many many individuals, a population in other words. Remember, evolution doesn't happen in large scale in one individual. It happens in large scales with a whole population of individuals, creating a new species over time.

[biathcw]

The language can be misleading, to humans, but our responses are predictable and programmable; perhaps there are those 1 / 10 million who can fool anyone with their micro-emotive control, most people cannot. It may be obvious, but the implications are not as clear.

This could assist cctv-based crime control, now / in the future. Fascinating really. Perhaps a little daunting as well.