Examines the neuropsychological basis of seeking certainty in relation to the Desire for Dao, suggesting implications for understanding human anxiety.
From an evolutionary neuropsychological perspective, this paper proposes that humans’ persistent pursuit of certainty originates from the most ancient instinct — the Desire for Dao. When this instinct is blocked, the Restorative Instinct (anxiety) is activated, forcing the individual to seek definitive answers. To appease this irrepressible anxiety, religion, philosophy, and divination emerge. The paper further delineates the three‑tier structure of the Wonder Family (curiosity/surprise, inquiry/exploration, and the Desire for Dao). It shows that the neural circuits involved in blocked Dao‑seeking include the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and default mode network, requiring far more cognitive engagement than ordinary instinct blocks. By comparing how Eastern and Western civilizations soothe ultimate anxiety, the paper reveals how Chinese philosophy (Confucianism and Daoism) provides a self‑consistent framework of certainty through cultivation and internalization, whereas Western philosophy remains trapped in endless questioning. This work deepens and extends the preprint Exploring the Nature of Anxiety: The Restorative Instinct and the Origin of Divination. Keywords: Desire for Dao; Restorative Instinct; anxiety; Wonder Family; philosophy of religion; neuropsychology Chinese Abstract (Original)
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charlie hai (2026) studied this question.
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