For many people, any understanding of what makes human beings tick will always require poetry.
But every startling stride made in the world of neuroscience suggests a less romantic notion of what makes us think, do, believe and perceive what we do.
For example, a small area of the brain called the insula was recently discovered to play a crucial role in understanding addiction. Studies showed that, in some cases, when this prune-sized region of the brain was damaged, smokers gave up cigarettes instantly.
Or look at the amygdala, an almond-shaped part of the brain that may be the key to unlocking the mechanics of depression, autism and a dozen other psychological disorders.
But as the study of the brain peels back the curtains to reveal the mechanics of anger, love, and even laughter, it also raises some uncomfortable questions -- How much choice do we really exert in the lives we lead? And how much of what we think and do is prescribed -- and predetermined -- by the makeup of our brains?
One of The Current's producers, Aaron Brindle, has been looking into these questions and he joined us in the studio.
****
Listen to the podcast, it is fascinating (scroll down to part 2):
http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2007/200703/20070321.html
In one case, a middle-aged man with a child with no history of sexual abuse snapped and went out to molest another child. They found a benign brain tumor was responsible for this deviant behavior.
Now, let's think about how hobbyists' brains are wired. Is it possible that one's sexual libido is on overdrive because of an underdeveloped brain? Are we victims of some brain abnormality causing us to engage in this "deviant" activity?
GG
P.S. I feel this is going to be another great thread but let's keep it civil!!!
But every startling stride made in the world of neuroscience suggests a less romantic notion of what makes us think, do, believe and perceive what we do.
For example, a small area of the brain called the insula was recently discovered to play a crucial role in understanding addiction. Studies showed that, in some cases, when this prune-sized region of the brain was damaged, smokers gave up cigarettes instantly.
Or look at the amygdala, an almond-shaped part of the brain that may be the key to unlocking the mechanics of depression, autism and a dozen other psychological disorders.
But as the study of the brain peels back the curtains to reveal the mechanics of anger, love, and even laughter, it also raises some uncomfortable questions -- How much choice do we really exert in the lives we lead? And how much of what we think and do is prescribed -- and predetermined -- by the makeup of our brains?
One of The Current's producers, Aaron Brindle, has been looking into these questions and he joined us in the studio.
****
Listen to the podcast, it is fascinating (scroll down to part 2):
http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2007/200703/20070321.html
In one case, a middle-aged man with a child with no history of sexual abuse snapped and went out to molest another child. They found a benign brain tumor was responsible for this deviant behavior.
Now, let's think about how hobbyists' brains are wired. Is it possible that one's sexual libido is on overdrive because of an underdeveloped brain? Are we victims of some brain abnormality causing us to engage in this "deviant" activity?
GG
P.S. I feel this is going to be another great thread but let's keep it civil!!!
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