2 54 BIOLOGY AND HUMAN LIFE 



sations in that they cannot be localized or referred to a par- 

 ticular region of the body. We feel glad all over, or we feel 

 angry all over, or we feel scared all over, not merely in one spot. 

 Of course, as in the case of sensations, our being aware means 

 probably that certain cells of the brain cortex have been 

 stimulated. 



In general, emotions accompany the organic functions that 

 have to do with keeping one alive or preserving the species. 

 In the case of nutrition, for example, we may become so hungry 

 that we are driven out to get food through special effort. We 

 are unable to keep quiet and we get no rest or satisfaction until 

 food is procured. If the hunger makes us do something, we 

 speak df the emotion as a motive or drive. In fact, the word 

 emotion means that which moves to action. There may be 

 great discomfort or dissatisfaction, a desire for something, and 

 finally a deep satisfaction when the desire is fulfilled. We say 

 in such cases that the emotion is one of relief from a previous 

 strain. 



209. Joy and sorrow. Agreeable emotions are associated with 

 the healthy workings of internal organs and with the satisfac- 

 tion of desires, or the activities that seem to satisfy the desires. 

 The mere hearing of sounds, or the mere swinging of the arms, 

 or the mere exercise of walking of itself, may yield such satis- 

 factions, since they are healthy activities of the organs. Dis- 

 agreeable emotions are usually associated with internal strains 

 or with interference encountered by any desire or activity. 

 If the urine is retained too long in the bladder, if somebody 

 blocks your path, if your wishes are denied you, unpleasant 

 feelings are aroused. Even holding a baby's head firmly, with- 

 out producing any pain whatever, is enough to make him very 

 angry. The free, spontaneous, satisfying activity, the healthy, 

 vigorous, smooth working of the internal organs— this is 

 the basis for the joy of living. Restraint, coercion, frustra- 

 tion in action, flabby, inharmonious, or perhaps even painful 

 working of the internal organs— this is the basis of sorrow, 

 distress, and disgust with life. Yet we must not expect a par- 



