fox_emma at hotmail.com wrote in message <78k931$hvg$1 at nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>>You obviously have your neurology down pat. I have no argument with you
>there. I am a believer in simple neurological decision making for simple
>situations, I know there is circuitry out there that can decide far more
>efficiently than a product of nature. I am still, however, a little
reticent
>about taking the soul/mind out of complex human/ethical decision making,
for
>which I believe the capacity for human emotion is required. My question to
>you is: Is the neurology of the amygdala ever involved in your decision
>making scenario? Is brain biochemistry ever involved?
When a particular constellation of neurons is active, we are aware of a
patch of blue. When another constellation is active we are aware of a
feeling of loneliness. Why this should be we do not know. McGinn argues that
we cannot know, that we lack the needed brain capabilities.
A somewhat old-fashioned term, the limbic system, is used to refer to the
hypothalamus, the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the septal area. In my view
of the brain, we are aware of the activity of constellations of neurons in
this region as emotions. We are aware of constellations in the brain stem as
hunger, as thirst, as being to hot, etc.
In my opinion these constellations have a powerful effect on the reticular
nucleus of the thalamus and thus on the brain processes we are aware of as
thinking and deciding.
Whether or not the soul (mind) has causal powers is strictly a matter of
opinion. I have made my choice. For me, the physical universe is a closed
system and the introduction of energy from a non-material source, such as
the soul (mind) is forbidden.
>I am interested in the biological basis for human emotion, but am having a
>little trouble satisfying myself re the mystery of the Amygdala, which
seems
>to be only implicated in the occurrence of emotions... If this is out of
your
>field of interest, please feel free to ignore this message.
All the neurons in the nervous system are alive and functioning at all
times, the molecules never rest, however we are aware of them in different
ways. The amygdala has its place in evaluating threats. Let us not forget
the overwhelming importance of emotions and drives in thinking and deciding.
Ray
Those interested in how the brain works might look at
www.wsg.net/~rscanlon/brain.html
