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Four
Partially for my own life, and partially for the epic fantasy I am writing, I have developed a philosophy of the four parts to the self: the mind, the body, the heart, and the spirit. Among other things, each of these parts has (for me) a kind of drug that induces similar pleasant experiences. The body likes sex and exercise. The mind is intoxicated by reading and learning, especially about the harder sciences like physics and cosmology. The spirit is excited and soothed by philosophy, and secondarily by politics. The heart's drug is music, which I get as CRI whenever possible. (CRI = Constant Rate Infusion. Usually applied to analgesics given in an intravenous drip.)
As a biologist I realize that all of these things have similar physical mechanisms - endorphins and other endogenous 'feel-good' chemicals affecting various aspects of the nervous system. The difference is first in the triggers, and secondarily in the flavor of the effect.
I really need to look into research into the human rhythm centers. One of the most provoking things I have heard in the last year is the idea that animals respond far less to rhythmic music than humans do, and that this may have something to do with the speech centers of the brain being so much more developed in humans than in animals. Anything that fundamentally separates humans from animals is of distinct interest to me. My personal philosophy has a lot to do with the assumption that humans and animals are fundamentally indistinguishable, and I want to hear more about any evidence that might challenge that assumption.
Harken, all ye who would shy from evidence that challenges your basic assumptions about the universe. Do not fight this kind of evidence. SEEK it. If the evidence you find strengthens your assumptions, fine; if it breaks them, then you have achieved some real and lasting knowledge.
As a biologist I realize that all of these things have similar physical mechanisms - endorphins and other endogenous 'feel-good' chemicals affecting various aspects of the nervous system. The difference is first in the triggers, and secondarily in the flavor of the effect.
I really need to look into research into the human rhythm centers. One of the most provoking things I have heard in the last year is the idea that animals respond far less to rhythmic music than humans do, and that this may have something to do with the speech centers of the brain being so much more developed in humans than in animals. Anything that fundamentally separates humans from animals is of distinct interest to me. My personal philosophy has a lot to do with the assumption that humans and animals are fundamentally indistinguishable, and I want to hear more about any evidence that might challenge that assumption.
Harken, all ye who would shy from evidence that challenges your basic assumptions about the universe. Do not fight this kind of evidence. SEEK it. If the evidence you find strengthens your assumptions, fine; if it breaks them, then you have achieved some real and lasting knowledge.