TED 2011: David Brooks Explains Why There Is No Reason Without Emotion (VIDEO)

Can a person truly separate rationality from passion? No, says David Brooks, Op-Ed columnist for The New York Times and author of "The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character and Achievement," a new book exploring the intersection of brain science and sociology.

"Emotions are at the center of our thinking," said Brooks during his recent TED talk. "Emotions are not separate from reason, but they are the foundation of reason because they tell us what to value."

This may seem paradoxical. But according to Brooks, that's because "for centuries we've inherited a view of human nature based on the notion that we're divided selves, that reason is separated from the emotions, and that society progresses to the extent that reason can suppress the passions."

Symptomatic of this larger problem, said Brooks, is politicians' approach to policy-making. Despite their "incredible social skills," these public figures become "completely dehumanized when they think about policy."

For Brooks, such behavior feeds into a "shallow view of human nature" that "we're rational individuals who respond in straightforward ways to incentives." He continues: "It has produced a great amputation ... we're really good at talking about material things, and we're really bad at talking about emotions. We're really good at talking about skills, safety and health. We're really bad at talking about character."

WATCH:

Comments

[Brother Anton]

06:22 AM on 05/08/2011

Next he discovers the superego, starts growing a beard and smoking what may or may not be a cigar.

[David Fuchs]

06:45 PM on 03/17/2011

Last wk, I got into one of my fights on the Slate.com Facebook bc I'm a fierce defender of David Brooks' view of neuroeconomics. I was convinced by Daniel Gilbert's "Stumbling on Happiness". David, you are doing great spreading the word -- epistemologic humility

[sophiemaki]

07:44 PM on 03/16/2011

David Brooks seemed such a ..........political , non emotional person..
he said on Morning Joe : that his wife said:
"you writing about emotion, is like Ghande writing about gluttony."

Now we getting to know .....david brooks..

[Peace Walker]

01:28 AM on 03/16/2011

It has been lovely watching David Brooks grow up over the years, and even more amusing to hear him try to insist, in spite of his growing compassion, that he is still a conservative republican.

[rcthomp]

06:09 PM on 03/17/2011

Yeah- im not even sure how that works anymore.

[Pogo Bock]

03:01 PM on 03/15/2011

Rebuttal, from Walt Disney, no less.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JStrcfHr8AY

[isuppose]

07:09 PM on 03/14/2011

wow ... i see david brooks in a new light

[terrjudy]

08:39 PM on 03/14/2011

Me too!! What a shock and surprise... finally a Conservative who gets it!!