Why Humans Like to Cry Tragedy, Evolution, and the Brain
Why Humans Like to Cry Tragedy, Evolution, and the Brain by Michael R. Trimble, published by OUP Oxford on November 22, 2012, delves into the unique human trait of emotional crying. This 232-page book explores why humans weep not only in response to personal tragedies but also for fictional characters in various art forms, including music, literature, and theater. Trimble investigates the physiological and evolutionary aspects of emotional crying, linking it to other distinctly human features such as language development, self-consciousness, and empathy.
Readers will find a thorough examination of the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the brain, which reveals unique characteristics that contribute to our emotional responses. The discussion includes insights into mirror neurons and their role in imitation, as well as a historical perspective on the origins of artistic tragedy, challenging traditional views that trace it back to ancient Greece. Trimble’s work invites readers to consider the complex interplay between emotions, art, and human evolution, providing a comprehensive look at this intriguing aspect of our humanity.
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Human beings are the only species to have evolved the trait of emotional crying. We weep at tragedies in our lives and in those of others – remarkably even when they are fictional characters in film, opera, music, novels, and theatre. Why have we developed art forms – most powerfully, music – which move us to sadness and tears? This question forms the backdrop to Michael Trimble’s discussion of emotional crying, its physiology, and its evolutionary implications. His exploration examines the connections with other distinctively human features: the development of language, self-consciousness, religious practices, and empathy. Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the brain have uncovered unique human characteristics; mirror neurones, for example, explain why we unconsciously imitate actions and behaviour. Whereas Nietzsche argued that artistic tragedy was born with the ancient Greeks, Trimble places its origins far earlier. His neurophysiological and evolutionary insights shed fascinating light onto this enigmatic part of our humanity.
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