PAIN (from

See also:

• LAT

Lat. poena, Gr.

See also:

• ROBIN

robin,

See also:

• PENALTY (Lat. poena, punishment)

penalty, that which must be paid: O. Fr.

See also:

• PEINE

peine)  , a term used loosely (1) for the psycho-logical state, which may be generally described as " unpleasantness," arising, e.g. from the contemplation of a catastrophe or of moral turpitude, and (2) for physical (or psycho-physical) suffering, a specific sensation localized in a particular part of the body . The term is used in both senses as the opposite of " pleasure," though it is doubtful whether the antithesis between physical and psychical pleasure can be equally well attested . The investigation of the pleasure-pain phenomena of consciousness has taken a prominent place in psychological and ethical speculation, the terms " hedonics " and " algedonics " (hXynhiov, pain of body or mind) being coined to express different aspects of the subject . So in aesthetics attempts have been made to assign to pain a specific psychological function as tending to increase pleasure by contrast (so Fechner) : pain, e.g. is a necessary element in the tragic . Scientists have experimented elaborately with a view to the precise localization of pain-sensations, and " pain-maps " can be drawn showing the exact situation of what are known as " pain-spots." For such experiments instruments known as " aesthesiometers " and " algometers have been devised . The great variety of painful sensations throbbing, dull, acute, intermittent, stabbing—led to the conclusion among earlier investigators that pains differ in quality . It is, however, generally agreed that all pain is qualitatively the same, though subject to temporal and intensive modification .