The Scientific Vs. the Hermetic Understanding of Emotions
© 2004
>> I'm trying to understand current scientific theory of emotions relates to the Hermetic theory of emotions. In the scientific theory, emotions are chemical in nature. They are said to result from the transmission of chemical neurotransmitters from a single neuron to either a single adjacent neuron or to a group of nearby neurons. This is supported by the fact that people can be made to feel a variety of emotions such as joy and sadness by injecting these neurotransmitters into the brain. In addition to the neurotransmitters, which have specific short term effects, there are also neuro-modulators and neuro-hormones which have longer, more generalized effects on moods rather then individual emotions. I'm curious how this would relate to the more subtle description of the astral body, especially since I assume that it is possible for the mental body to perceive the same emotions that the physical neuro-chemicals can produce when one is not connected to the physical body, either because of physical death or conscious separation. I also assume that the astral body is able to affect the production of these chemicals in the physical body, which I have a hard time making sense of. <<
From the Hermetic perspective, the physical body is the *result of* the astra-mental body. In other words, all of the physiological functions are *caused by* the astra-mental body. For example, neurotransmitters, modulators and hormones are caused by emotions and thoughts which occur within the astra-mental body of the individual. Neurotransmitters, etc., are not the causes of emotions -- they are the physical *result of* emotions.
Granted, by artificially introducing certain chemicals, one can either induce or suppress certain emotional manifestations, but such actions do not alter the *source* of emotions and once the chemicals have been purged by the body, the same dynamic returns.
The question that the scientific model doesn't address is "What source of intelligence or consciousness causes the body to create neurotransmitters, modulators and hormones?"
My best to you,
:) Rawn Clark
17 March 2004