We humans like...

...some ideas that feel good

We humans like wide open views from high hilltops because they make us feel safe.

As monkeys, with evolved brains, driven by instinctive emotional reactions, we like to have a clear sight of our surroundings.

I am on a mountain hike in North Wales. I look out at the distant horizon from the trail. A river is weaving its way across the valley below. It snakes between tall pine trees, and scattered boulders. The views is wide and clear and magnificent. There are no tigers here. There are no marauding bandits. I am safe.

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We humans like symmetrical faces and clear skin because they indicate health and imply future reproductive success.

As monkeys, with evolved brains, driven by instinctive emotional reactions we like to find partners with good genes so that our offspring will also be healthy and reproductive.

I am sitting on the sofa with my fiancée. Her eyes glisten and her face shines as she looks at me lovingly. I feel relaxed and confident. There is no disease here. The future is good.

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We humans like evolutionary psychology explanations of our experience because they make us feel less confused and alone.

As monkeys, with evolved brains, driven by instinctive emotional reactions we like to have coherent and shared explanations for the things we experience.

I am reading some writing on my phone. It describes how the things I perceive are a normal, natural and purposeful feature of the human experience; that my feelings are part of nature; that this is all part of the great unfolding of reality. The writing explains how those feelings deeply connect me to all of humanity through our shared biological history. There is no chaos here. There is no isolation. I understand. I am not alone.