Final answer:
Charles Darwin argued that emotions have evolved as adaptive responses to promote survival. The James-Lange theory and research by figures like Antonio Damasio have since expanded our understanding of emotions as integral to both physiology and behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
Charles Darwin's Argument on the Function of Emotions
Charles Darwin, known for his theory of evolution, also suggested that emotions play a critical role in survival. According to Darwin, emotions such as fear function to ready an organism for challenges in its environment.
From his observations and evolutionary theory, Darwin inferred that emotions are vital adaptations. Human emotions trigger physiological responses that facilitate survival-oriented actions, like the fight or flight response when encountering danger such as a venomous snake.
Building on Darwin’s work, later theorists and researchers, like William James and John B. Watson, expanded the understanding of the function and cause of emotions. While the James-Lange theory posits that emotions arise from physiological responses, other theories argue for a more interconnected relationship between emotions, physiological responses, and behavior, a notion supported by research into the neurobiology of emotions by scientists like Antonio Damasio.
Emotions therefore serve both a biological and psychological purpose, guiding decision-making, behavior, and ultimately contributing to the organism's fitness by allowing it to adapt and respond to its environment effectively.