Could you define hardwired, for me?
Hardwired, in the sense that it is integral brain tissue, or specific parts of the brain affected by certain hormones? <-- Is this even possible?
(I thought hormones only affected parts of the body through the blood stream via the endocrine system)
In the sense of the article it just means that we are predisposed to enjoy it. The same way that we enjoy eating and sex. I am pretty sure that the area they are referring to when they mention food and sex is the
dopamine reward system in the brain. The article doesn't state that explicitly, but from what I know about the brain it seems that's what they describing. It is they same system that produces euphoria when someone takes cocaine or amphetamines.
Structures associated with pleasure (and the dopamine reward system):
nucleus accumbens and
striatum
Also, concerning hormones, they can and do affect the brain. There is an area of the brain called the hypothalamus that produces hormones and releasing factors - which act on other structures telling them to produce hormones. Once the hormones are in the body they act as a negative feedback system on the hypothalamus.
Sunstone said:
This would suggest that the debate over whether we are born good or bad is rather simplistic in light of emerging science.
I agree. It also begs the question whether these "common sense" morals that most of us have in modern society really are the product of religion. Obviously I don't think they are, but it is an interesting discussion nonetheless.