Adaptive function Conatus

Conatus as interpreted from Spinoza by Damasio, is the idea that there is a biological process in the neurobiology of an individual that ensures not only the survival, but the thriving to seek opportunities for well being of that individual as an adaptive function. This corresponds with Damasio's model of homeostatic processes (of life regulation) consisting of simpler processes (metabolism, immune response, drive etc.) and more complex processes (emotions and feelings), and also with the principle of nesting which states that these processes are in correlation. For example, if there is an emotionally competent stimulus, eg. a fearful or anxiety inducing situation like a phobia encounter, several processes will occur, there will be a body mapping of the body state travelling via neurons through the body,producing sweat, a feeling of nausea in the stomach and a response in the cerebral cortex producing the feelings of fear. the concept of Conatus also applies to our functioning and well-being in social situations, because it is more adaptive for us as humans to cooperate with others in social groups as Damasio exemplifies in the case of the patients with damage to the frontal lobe, these individuals do not have the correct emotional response in social situations and this is maladaptive to them leading a more successful life.