Abstract

For decades, if not centuries, we have assumed that what made humans unique and successful must have been our intellect. Rational thought has always been seen as elevated above our feelings, which if anything seem to connect us to the animal world in uncomfortable ways. A closer consideration of the archaeological evidence reveals a different story. Emotions, rather than intellect, seem to lie at the heart of the human collaboration which drove our success. From early humans nearly two million years ago being looked after by others at times of need, to signs of emotional attachments to cherished possessions, our emotional capacities seem to have played a key role in our origins. Many aspects of our emotional existence which we often think of as weaknesses, such as our emotional sensitivity, our motivations to care for and include others, or our need for belonging may even have been our most important strengths. The history of human emotions is not one of progress but rather compromise however - there have been many different options and much to learn from our relatives, like the Neanderthals. This is not the typical story of human evolution. Yet lessons from the distant past may be increasingly important if we hope to avert, rather than just hope to survive, some of the crises which face us today.

Reference

Penny Spikins (University of York, UK), “Were emotions more important than intellect in human origins?: An archaeological perspective on what makes us human”, IAST General Seminar, Toulouse: IAST, December 19, 2023, 11:30–12:30, room Auditorium 4 (first floor - tse building).