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Mike,
Regarding your definition of emotion. I almost agree with what
you say -- BUT, I think you're missing a basic point. Emotions do involve
data coming into the cognitive centers, vaguely similarly to how perceptual data
comes into the cognitive centers. And, as with perception, emotions
involve processing that goes on in areas of the brain that are mostly opaque to
the cognitive centers. But in the case of emotion, the data comes in from
a broadly distributed set of physiological and kinesthetic indicators -- AND
from parts of the brain that are concerned with reaction to stimuli and
goal-achievement rather than just perceiving. This is qualitatively
different than data feeding in from sensors.... Emotions are more similar
to unconscious reflex actions than to sensation per se -- but they last longer
and are more broadly-based than simple reflex actions...
ben
g
Bill, I agree with you that emotions are tied to
motivation of behavior in humans. Humans prefer the experience of some
emotions and avoid the experience of others, and therefore generate their
behavior to maximize these goals. I think this is a peculiarly
biological situation and need now be replicated in AI's. I think in AI's
we have the design option to base the motivation of behavior on more rational
grounds.
Ben, I don't know if my personal definition of
emotions will be of much help as it may not be shared by a very large
community. but for what it's worth, here it is.
MIKE DEERING'S PERSONAL DEFINITION OF
EMOTIONS: Emotions are a kind of sensory data. The sensory organ
that perceives this data is the conscious mind alone. The physical
reality which generates this raw data are selected concentrations of
neurotransmitters in the brain. Their effects vary with different types
of neurons in different locations. Some types of neurons produce more of
certain kinds of neurotransmitter than other types of neurons. Those
that generate the neurotransmitters are not necessarily the same as those that
are more affected. They are also affected by other
chemicals produced by glands. It's complicated. These
neurochemical phenomena are by evolutionary design causally linked to
environmental circumstances and divided into positive and negative type.
They are used, by evolutionary design, to positively and negatively reinforce
behaviors to maximize and minimize the related circumstances. Emotions
are not products of cognitive processes but are rather perceptions of
neurochemical states and states of activation of selected regions of the
brain. Because of the complicated feedback arrangements in the
generation of neurotransmitters and hormones, and the neurons role in this
feedback, some limited conscious influence can be exercised in the management
of emotions. Emotions can be generated artificially by the introduction
of various chemicals to the brain, the direct electrical stimulation of
certain neuron clusters, or direct control of environmental
circumstances. Certain physical bodily sensations are closely related to
emotions: pain to sadness, pleasure to happiness.
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