The Archaeology of Mind

Don't let the weighty title of this book scare you away from reading this fascinating, detailed and illuminating discussion of the roots of human emotions. Not only will you be amazed at the insightful writing, but also the compassionate advocacy Dr. Panksepp shares for non-human animals as well. If the thought of tickling rats and making them laugh sounds like your idea of a great research project, then this book will delight you.

The book describes the seven ancient emotional circuits formed below our neocortex (the thinking part of our brain): seeking, rage, fear, lust, care, panic/grief, and play. These emotions form the core of our emotional experience, and are furthered refined and regulated as they rise through the neural circuits of the higher brain. The book is filled with explorations of a range of human emotions and how they might come to be, and with this self-understanding, we may be able improve our own emotional lives and have more empathy and understanding of those around us.