Psychologist Dacher Keltner discusses the benefits of awe, its evolutionary origins, and how to pursue more wonder in daily life. Topics include the impact of awe on health, the role of emotions in decision-making, and the historical evolution of awe from horror to wonder.
Awe can have transformative effects, inspiring new life paths and connecting individuals to something larger than themselves.
Awe is measurable through physiological responses and personal narratives, showcasing its impact on emotional experiences.
Encounters with moral beauty evoke awe, inspiring individuals to be virtuous, kind, and connect with significant themes of life.
Deep dives
The Science of Awe and Emotion
Researcher Dacher Keltner, a leading expert in the science of emotion, delves into the concept of awe. A.W.E., a feeling elicited by encounters with vast mysteries beyond comprehension, can have transformative effects. Keltner's studies show that awe can lead individuals down new life paths, inspire careers and relationships, and connect them to something larger than themselves.
Measuring Awe
Keltner explains that awe is one of the easiest emotions to measure scientifically. By observing brain activity, vocalization patterns, goosebumps, tears, and even physiological responses like changes in heart rate, researchers can quantify the experience of awe. Additionally, Keltner emphasizes the importance of gathering personal narratives to understand various aspects of awe.
Awe and Emotional Responses
Keltner discusses how awe triggers emotional responses that transcend rationality. By sharing personal experiences related to awe, individuals often express feelings of wonder, unity, and connection to the larger world. This emotional state can lead to feelings of transcendence and a deep sense of belonging to something greater.
Moral Beauty and Awe
The concept of moral beauty, as elucidated by Keltner, refers to individuals who inspire others to be better, virtuous, and kind. Keltner identifies acts of courage, kindness, and overcoming obstacles as embodying moral beauty. These encounters with moral beauty evoke awe and inspire individuals to connect with significant themes of life.
Dealing with Grief Through Awe
Keltner shares a personal experience of coping with the loss of his brother and the profound impact it had, leading him on a quest to explore awe in various forms. Through encounters with music, nature, meditation, and spiritual retreats, Keltner was able to find solace and understanding amidst grief. Encouraging others to seek awe, he highlights how awe can transform perspectives and provide a pathway to growth.
The Impact of Awe on Collective Connection
Awe serves as a gateway to collective connection and community bonding, especially in the face of profound experiences such as death. Keltner's research reveals that awe-induced rituals and narratives bring individuals together, fostering a sense of social unity and shared meaning. Ultimately, awe acts as a powerful force that transcends individuality and promotes a deeper connection with others and the world at large.
In this episode we sit down with psychologist Dacher Keltner, one of the world’s leading experts on the science of emotion, the man Pixar hired to help them write Inside Out. In his new book – Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life – he outlines his years of work in this field, the health benefits of awe, the evolutionary origins and likely functions, and how to better pursue more awe and wonder in your own life.
