Εγκέφαλος
A Journey into the Mind and Brain
This book series is a comprehensive collection of scripts that delve into the fascinating world of neurobiology, neurocognition, and neuropsychology. Designed to make complex neuroscience concepts accessible, it explores the intricate workings of the brain, from its biological foundations to the emergence of the human psyche. Readers are guided through key topics, such as the biology of the nervous system, cognitive processes, and the neuroscientific basis of emotions and behavior. With a blend of scientific rigor and engaging storytelling, Εγκέφαλος provides tools to better understand the mind, making it an invaluable resource for both curious minds and aspiring neuroscientists.
The Mind and Brain of Humans
Preface I
January 2021, Vienna, Austria
Reading this script collection shall enable the esteemed reader to discuss things on eye level with self-declared yet accredited neuroscientists. The tools, ideas and vocabulary delivered will help the reader to blend in during brain-related conversations; and when intended, stun a fellow scientist about one’s scientific literacy.
In the core of this book are 3 scripts that explore fundamentals and key concepts of (1) the biology of the nervous system, (2) of cognition, and (3) of psychology with a neuroscientific scope. Script 0 however shall take the reader to a place where the study of the mind and the brain can be contemplated from a fresh ‘from-scratch’ perspective. As catalyser, the purpose of this script is to speed up the understanding and processing of the information presented in the chapters to come.
Script 1 is dedicated to the biological aspects of the two organs brain and spinal cord. In Script 2, we will explore what the brain does, and, how it (re-)cognises the world around us.
Script 3 should be enjoyed with care. It invites to a journey about the wondrous aspects of the human brain that emerge as the psyche. Everything that conscious animals experience is brought to life in the brain. The third script will therefore focus on how human animals reflect on their nature and create what has been recognised since ancient times as the human soul.
Operations in the Mind and Brain of Humans
Preface II
October 2024, Lisbon, Portugal
There is no constant more reliable in life than change. To compare the dynamic nature of the human brain to any other relatively static organ would be a misconception. This collection of scrips delves into pivotal themes such as neuronal dynamics, adaptability, morphisms, and indeterminism; the exhilarating and ultimate challenge for my fellow self-proclaimed and self-accredited neuroscientists. As you navigate the pages of scripts, you will explore the twists and turns of a neuroscientist’s perspective on the most complex creation of the human mind, the changing psyche.
Dynamic change is an instructive and evolving journey for human personality, particularly when considering its degrees of freedom, most notably, the freedom to adapt. The relationship between these degrees of individual freedom forms the cornerstone of countless human debates, from the pressures of conformity to the pursuit of one’s true self. In the physical sciences, degrees of freedom define systems so profoundly that they can establish entirely novel frameworks. It is no coincidence that this same concept reverberates within the human mind, shaping everything from tribalism to individualism.
What remains remarkable is the methodological approach the life sciences employ to address variety, with the most elusive phenomenon being the mental effects of sound; harmonies, rhythms, tunes, and the intricate relationships they foster. Music is undeniably addictive, yet we have not definitively understood why. The relationship between aesthetic stimuli and well-being is an enduring mystery, one that no member of us Sapients has been able to fully quantify, explain, or rationalise.
Nevertheless, the capacity for change is something our species has always harnessed, whether for benevolent purposes or, conversely, to manipulate others towards a specific agenda. Every habit we form creates changes in the brain, the most notable example being our consumption patterns. Entire fortunes and economies have been built upon the success of strategies designed to make humans desire and consume particular products. In recent decades, these consumption-driven processes have become increasingly computational, amplifying their influence on society. I therefore invite the esteemed reader to embark on this exploration of how our minds and brains evolve in perpetuity. This script collection seeks to provide you with a neuroscientific lens through which to view the ever-present concept of change to understand the forces that shape both our thoughts and our actions.