My article addresses the qualities of “good” literature and how an understanding of the nature of literary devices, so-called “literariness”, can enhance the reading experience. Focusing on Hans Rosling’s Factfulness (2018), I discuss some of the most important features of good writing. Six literary devices have been selected for special attention: point of view, tone, amplification, anecdotes,...

Beyond the Pleasure Principle, 1 published in 1920, is an altogether extraordinary work that, with its amazing twists and turns, is by no means easy to follow or to comprehend. In viewing his essay in frankly speculative terms, Freud undertakes to advance his theory of psychoanalysis into new domains of the mental processes, while having no intention of giving up his earlier findings. We shall ...

In the study of human behavior, motivation is a basic psychological process, like perception and learning. On the other hand, it must be remembered that motivation should not be thought as the only explanation of behavior. Many people equate the causes of perception and learning, it is presented here as being a very important process in understanding behavior. It interacts with and acts in conj...

Instinct and experience are shown to form a potent combination to achieve effective foraging in a simulated environment. A neural network capable of evolving instinct-related neurons and learning from experience is used as the brain of a simple foraging creature that must find food and water in a 3D block world. Instincts provide basic tactics for unsupervised exploration of the world, allowing...

The chapter describes a mathematical theory of sapience and consciousness: higher mental abilities including abilities for concepts, emotions, instincts, understanding, imagination, intuition, beautiful, and sublime. The knowledge instinct drives our understanding of the world. Aesthetic emotions, our needs for beautiful and sublime are related to the knowledge instinct. I briefly discuss neuro...

Psychosomatic disorders are the consequences of harmful effects that result from psychic influences on the organic control of tissues.1 The oral cavity is related directly or symbolically to the major human instincts and passions and is linked to potential physical expressions of psychological origin.1 Psychosomatic disorders are defined as disorders characterized by physiological changes that ...

Some environmental issues polarize people, producing weary political stalemates of indecision and inaction. Others, however, grab hold of our most primeval instincts, causing us to reach deeply into our memories of childhood, and our first direct experiences with nature: the bumble bee nest we poked at with a stick; the man at the county fair with the bee beard. Those memories expand backward i...

Prosocial behavior is a central feature of human life and a major focus of research across the natural and social sciences. Most theoretical models of prosociality share a common assumption: Humans are instinctively selfish, and prosocial behavior requires exerting reflective control over these basic instincts. However, findings from several scientific disciplines have recently contradicted thi...