ABSTRACT
After a tribute to Darwin, the scientific work of Panksepp on affective neuroscience is presented and explained. Instinctive systems we humans have in common with mammals are fundamental to understanding our emotional life. Our behaviour is guided by the law (not of effect but) of affect. For the layman, some introductory neuroanatomy and its relevance to what is specifically human is provided. How and why is the drive on the rise? Affect, emotion and feeling are distinguished. They imply that increasing mediation by the big Other is integrated into our narrative. Following Damasio, the biological relevance of homeostasis is brought to the fore. Feelings are essential to finding or making our way in unpredicted and unpredictable circumstances. They are at the heart of consciousness and highly adaptive. They allow us to navigate successfully in terms of survival and procreation.
