#14 - The Feeling Brain: How Emotions Drive Our Decisions

Discover why emotions aren’t obstacles to clear thinking but essential guides in this episode of “Learning English with Human Beans.” George explains neuroscientist Antonio Damasio’s revolutionary work challenging mind-body separation, while Alice adds relatable examples and key vocabulary. Learn the crucial difference between emotions and feelings, explore the fascinating Somatic Marker Hypothesis, and understand why “we are feeling machines that think.” Perfect for expanding your English vocabulary while gaining insights into the science of decision-making and consciousness.

Sources:

Damasio, A. R. (1994). Descartes’ Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain. New York: Putnam.

Damasio, A. R. (2003). Looking for Spinoza: Joy, Sorrow, and the Feeling Brain. Orlando: Harcourt.

Harlow, J. M. (1868). “Recovery from the Passage of an Iron Bar through the Head.” Publications of the Massachusetts Medical Society, 2, 327-347.

Van Vugt, M. (2006). “Evolutionary Origins of Leadership and Followership.” Personality and Social Psychology Review, 10(4), 354-371.

Bechara, A., Damasio, H., Tranel, D., & Damasio, A. R. (1997). “Deciding Advantageously Before Knowing the Advantageous Strategy.” Science, 275(5304), 1293-1295.