Transcript Headology - A Rich Neural Tapestry

Headology
”If people think you're a witch, you might as well
be one”
Mind =? Brain
Mind is software running on Brain
Some ”mind” things outside brain
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Sensory input
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Motor output
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Proprioception
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Hormones
SOURCE: Cortical Neurons
and Circuits: A Tutorial
Introduction
Richard B. Wells April, 2005
Mind can alter brain
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We can consciously
build habits that
change brain structures
Popular with
”creationist
neuroscience” to prove
immaterial mind exists
(bad proof)
Jury is still out on
current ”brain training”
Brain Training
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Brain begins to decay at
early age
We mitigate that by using our
brains in complex ways
Learn a complex
game/musical instrument
now and at advanced age
Recent study showed Dr.
Doidge's program effective in
”older adults”
SOURCE: http://www.cs.toronto.edu/~miguel/papers/ps/ecs02.pdf
SOURCE: http://cs.brown.edu/~tld/projects/cortex/
Brain computing units -Cortical columns
SOURCE: http://antranik.org/functional-areas-of-the-cerebral-cortex/
Modular Organization
SOURCE: http://antranik.org/functional-areas-of-the-cerebral-cortex/
Modular Org, cont'd
Where is ”me”?
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Prefrontal cortex

Executive
function
How many brains?
Mind =? body+
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Brain contains maps
of entire body
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Even tools can
be added to
body map
Sensory and motor
neurons
Hormones/Autonomic
Nervous System
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Sympathetic
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Parasympathetic
What is ”me”? (Headology)
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”Spirit,” ”soul,” ”psyche,” ”self”
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Each incomplete
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Complex enough that each metaphor can
shed useful light
Headology =
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Practical Philosophy
+
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Practical Psychology
”Narrativium”

Freytag's Pyramid
SOURCE: http://www.ohio.edu/people/hartleyg/ref/fiction/freytag.html
Further Information
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http://www.brainfacts.org
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http://blog.arichneuraltapestry.com