Incognito

An interesting book from David Eagleman called Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain reveals some new insights being gleaned from recent research on the human brain. One of the ideas- probably not surprising- is that the brain operates like a team of rivals. There's an emotional part of our brain and then a rational part. The rational part can answer a math question but can't begin a conversation with a coworker. Eagleman argues that the brain works better with these two competing forces, and then makes this insight concerning human morality and ethics:

When we talk about a virtuous person, we do not necessarily mean someone who is not tempted but, instead, someone who is able to resist that temptation. We mean someone who does not let that battle tip to the side of instant gratification. We value such people because it is easy to yield to impulses, and inordinately difficult to ignore them.

In this case our emotional brain wants the instant gratification. Our economy is full of examples from sub-prime mortgages to how much debt we carry on our credit cards. There's other examples too in relationships, in academics, our careers, etc. One part of us wants to take the short cut, to feel the pleasure immediately, to cater to our wants and desires. All of us deal with those temptations. The key is not give in to those things. And while those of who follow Jesus have known about this struggle and duality for some time (think of Paul in Romans 7), it looks like the science is catching up!