Host: The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
Name : [in Japanese]
Date : September 03, 2023 - September 06, 2023
The author proposes Emotion Mechanics to formulate human emotions using a mechanical principle. The core idea is that free energy represents the prediction error with uncertainty processed in the brain as an arousal potential, and that its potential and fluctuations induce emotion valence. Decreasing and increasing free energy induce positive and negative emotions, respectively. Hence, minimizing free energy explains action and perception with positive emotions. At the same time, appropriate level of arousal potential (i.e., free energy) forms positive emotions, suggesting that the brain enjoys uncertainty. The author presents a free energy model to explain the optimum arousal potential from the viewpoint of curiosity and interest. Such emotions encourage exploration that provides a process for achieving well-being.
