Does the Heart Rule the Head?

Rowan Hooper clarifies making decisions based on reason and emotion in the article entitled “Clear Pictures of How We Think.” Evidence is bringing scientists closer to figuring out “whether the heart rules the head” (Hooper). Through the use of a functional magnetic-resonance imaging, scientists are able to determine which parts of the brain are most active in everyday situations. Hooper uses the example of there being certain parts that are more active when someone falls in love. Originally, the only way to learn about the parts of the brain was to watch those that had suffered brain damage. Joshua Greene and Jonathan Cohen, two professors at Princeton University, started their own study that “look into the factors that influence moral judgment” (Hooper). In their study, they took volunteers and told them to imagine what they would do in a horribly tricky situation while they scanned their brains. Not only do the emotions you feel show up on the scan, but also the areas controlling the logical aspects that you’re forced to consider. In conclusion, Hooper answers his opening question by saying that the heart does rule the head sometimes, however, “the head doesn’t give in without a fight” (Hooper).

To me, this was a very interesting piece of work. The idea that logic and emotions can be at a constant battle to help you try and make the right decision is quite intense. I even think that it may be a little confusing. Some people always want there to be a right or wrong way to do things. There are people who refuse to follow their emotions because that’s not logical and vice versa. However, Hooper tells you that there’s no real reason to choose. You have to use both things to make your decision. If you don’t, you’re probably making a mistake.

Hooper , Rowan. "Clear Pictures of How We Think." Wired 20 Nov. 2004: n. pag. Web. 7 Apr 2010. .