December 2016
The above-mentioned system can be enriched with two more elements – affective cogito and well-known to us reward center. Then we’ve a sound enough and quite convenient structure to analyze the addictive behavior. The affective cogito we can define (following the logic of above-mentioned Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s Notes from Underground) as a simply independent choice, a counterpart of a rationally advantageous choice. Unfortunately, the English translation of the novel doesn’t fully render the figurative meaning in the Russian original and makes it closer to the strict scientific terminology. What’s a simply independent choice? Firstly, the simplicity isn’t only about something easy to understand, it’s something that can’t be divided to any components. Secondly, such a choice or better say the manifestation of our desires (which is a more accurate translation of the original meaning in Russian) is hereby considered independent from socially programmed narrative cogito.
Stress generally is defined as any stimulus that challenges physiological homeostasis—that is, which alters the balance or equilibrium of the normal physiologicalstate of the organism. It is important to realize, however, that the term “stress” is rather nonspecific and should alwaysbe qualified. Although all forms ofstress alter homeostasis, they do not all do so in the same manner (i.e.,they have different physiological consequences). Different kinds of stress can stimulate different combinations of signaling molecules (i.e., molecules that aid in cell-to-cell communication, such as neurohormones), thereby producing unique effects on physiological processes.
All above-mentioned constructions of the intuitive experience are based on the idealized model of intellectual life. It’s the creativity in its broadest sense. Indeed, literary works, paintings and our favorite movies are something other than dry academic treatises. They don’t put the desire to find a generally valid truth first. Rather they emphasize bursting out something unexpected, extraordinary or simply what captures the attention of many in an incredible way. To be frank we must say that scientific discoveries are made likewise. They seem to be an insight experience to their authors rather than a result of dull rational work.