Our emotions take us to the depths of grief and the heights of joy. They are the dominant driver behind our choices and actions, the reason we formulate and achieve our goals.
It is often said that rational thinking is the path to success. That one should not trust emotions, that one should suppress them for the sake of a more objective view of the world. However, the famous physicist and science popularizer Leonard Mlodinow offers a different perspective on feelings. He rehabilitates them, drawing on recent neuroscience research, evolutionary psychology, and philosophy to guide us toward a different, balanced approach to decision-making and personal growth. The author concludes that emotion and reason are not at all opposed - that they work together and that the balance between them is the key to human success.
The book contains up-to-date scientific information as well as inspiring personal stories and psychological tests to help us become more aware of our own emotional profile.
Emotion allows us to react flexibly depending on our physical state and the surrounding circumstances, works hand in hand with our systems of wanting and liking to motivate our every action, helps us connect with each other and collaborate, and drives us to expand our horizons and reach new heights. Working in conjunction with our rational mind, emotion shapes virtually every thought we have. It contributes, moment by moment, to all our judgments and decisions, large and small, from whether to put on a jacket before going out to how to invest for retirement. Without emotion, we are lost.
"The Emotions is a fascinating exploration of the science of emotions. Beautifully written and full of cutting-edge scientific data, this book is an important reminder of the power that feelings have over our thinking.
Charles Duhigg, author of "The Power of Habits"
At once a brilliant scientist and a fine writer, Leonard Mlodinow leads us through the mysteries of the remarkable science of what we feel and why-and what we can do about it. I learned a lot from this book: the mastermind of clarity, usefulness, and heart.
Rick Hanson, author of "The Buddha Brain"
"The Emotions is engaging, informative, and insightful.
Deepak Chopra
