What is the most enjoyable human focus?
Pursuing satisfaction.
Find out why neuroscience simply confirms what Scripture teaches in this week’s Truth in Two.
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If you were in my classes you would hear me say things like, “When you get up out of your seat, there is an immediate 10-15% increase in blood flow to the brain!” Or you could hear, “Every time the barometer drops, so does classroom interest.” Statements such as these are ideas drawn from neuroscience: how the world around us impacts our person. As a professor I can tell you when it’s raining outside, I might as well forget classroom discussion. Barometric pressure impacts our bodies.
Why does educational neuroscience matter? The Creator made us to be whole people. Every aspect of our lives impacts our whole person. A biblical view of humanity is exactly why neuroscientists such as Jaak Panksepp have made important brain-related discoveries. In one of his studies, Panksepp concluded, “The most enjoyable human focus is seeking and working toward satisfaction, the pursuit of an interest.” Pursuing our interests gives life vitality.
My favorite book in the Bible says it best. Ecclesiastes 2:24 reads, “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his work. This is from the hand of God.” That word “enjoyment” in Hebrew literally means, the person’s interests made his soul see good. For me, my soul sees good when I’m researching for an essay, collaborating with colleagues, creating curriculum, or writing each Truth in Two. For you it may be different. You may be a risk-taker and love rock climbing. You may be a homemaker who loves to bake cakes. You may be a financial advisor who enjoys seeing your client’s portfolio grow. You may be a grandparent who loves to read to your grandchildren. Your satisfaction is given by God for the goodness of life. Neuroscience simply confirms what Scripture teaches: our satisfaction in this life is to pursue the interests given to us by our Creator. For Truth in Two, this is Dr. Mark Eckel, personally seeking Truth in the truths left by God in neuroscience.*
* “Neuroscience” is a multi-disciplinary science that intersects all manner of human endeavor, including how we humans interact with the creational world. Responding internally to the external world can take various forms, a few of which are briefly noted in my 300-word essay.