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Pythagorean
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Is there a consensus on the current theory of the brain that can be agreed on by neurologists and psychologists alike? Perhaps even philosophers (real ones that acknowledge physical sciences). The philosopher I like a lot is Daniel Dennett. He rejects the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartesian_theater" as he calls it.
I myself want to get into the theory of the brain. I don't necessarily want to do neuroscience, but I definitely want use the the data provided by neuroscience to test some theories that are out there (If I can find a quantitative way to do so) and develop and strengthen those theories.
My undergraduate training was in Physics and my master's training is currently with Electrical Engineering, so I realize I will have to learn a bit about chemical potentials.
So I'd like opinions about the theories I've found so far, anyway, and whether my interpretation of them is valid:
Gestaltism and Structuralism
This the definition of Gestaltism according to wiki. It's probably the only part of Gestalt theory that I don't agree with. Not that I disagree... I just don't really see the relevance or a way to quantify this statement. I am perhaps too ignorant to make a decision at this point.
This is particularly alluring to me. It seems to make sense with the way different regions of the brain are best known for their functionality. I think that synesthesia is particularly suggestive of this...
but I don't see how this is opposed to structuralism ("a complex system of interrelated parts." -Wiki), and in fact, if we look at the neuroscience side of it, the synesthesia is directly a result the locality of the particular sensory (and number identification) regions of the brain responsible for with respect to one another. The neurons are much more likely to find each other. Vilayanur Ramachandran claims that, as well, we see that people who are more likely to have synesthesia are also more likely to be artists, and goes a little bit into grasping metaphors. Here's his talk on TED, it's pretty interesting:
Am I making a mistake tying things like emotions and creativity more tightly to the idea of consciousness than, say... pattern recognition and motor skills?
I'm still not sure what consciousness really is. It's a very intangible concept to me, yet I still feel like I experience it... and I don't think I could feel that way if I didn't. Remembering Daniel Dennetts opinion on the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartesian_Theatre" tends to raise doubts about it. There's many unanswered questions. Are there many levels of consciousness? Are animals conscious? Are we the most conscious beings on Earth? is a "level of consciousness" even a valid phrase?
Of course, if consciousness does exist, it must rely on the physical state of the central nervous system (probably not a surprising expectation from a physics degree holder).
Are there any more obscure theories, or even popular theories of the brain out there?
I myself want to get into the theory of the brain. I don't necessarily want to do neuroscience, but I definitely want use the the data provided by neuroscience to test some theories that are out there (If I can find a quantitative way to do so) and develop and strengthen those theories.
My undergraduate training was in Physics and my master's training is currently with Electrical Engineering, so I realize I will have to learn a bit about chemical potentials.
So I'd like opinions about the theories I've found so far, anyway, and whether my interpretation of them is valid:
Gestaltism and Structuralism
Wiki said:The Whole is Greater than the Parts
This the definition of Gestaltism according to wiki. It's probably the only part of Gestalt theory that I don't agree with. Not that I disagree... I just don't really see the relevance or a way to quantify this statement. I am perhaps too ignorant to make a decision at this point.
Wiki said:Totality - The conscious experience must be considered globally (by taking into account all the physical and mental aspects of the individual simultaneously) because the nature of the mind demands that each component be considered as part of a system of dynamic relationships.
This is particularly alluring to me. It seems to make sense with the way different regions of the brain are best known for their functionality. I think that synesthesia is particularly suggestive of this...
but I don't see how this is opposed to structuralism ("a complex system of interrelated parts." -Wiki), and in fact, if we look at the neuroscience side of it, the synesthesia is directly a result the locality of the particular sensory (and number identification) regions of the brain responsible for with respect to one another. The neurons are much more likely to find each other. Vilayanur Ramachandran claims that, as well, we see that people who are more likely to have synesthesia are also more likely to be artists, and goes a little bit into grasping metaphors. Here's his talk on TED, it's pretty interesting:
Am I making a mistake tying things like emotions and creativity more tightly to the idea of consciousness than, say... pattern recognition and motor skills?
Wiki said:Principle of psychophysical isomorphism - A correlation exists between conscious experience and cerebral activity.
I'm still not sure what consciousness really is. It's a very intangible concept to me, yet I still feel like I experience it... and I don't think I could feel that way if I didn't. Remembering Daniel Dennetts opinion on the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartesian_Theatre" tends to raise doubts about it. There's many unanswered questions. Are there many levels of consciousness? Are animals conscious? Are we the most conscious beings on Earth? is a "level of consciousness" even a valid phrase?
Of course, if consciousness does exist, it must rely on the physical state of the central nervous system (probably not a surprising expectation from a physics degree holder).
Are there any more obscure theories, or even popular theories of the brain out there?
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