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What are some possible approaches to addressing the tension between scientific and humanist views of the mind?
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Options include rejecting science, rejecting humanist values, or attempting to reconcile the two views.
Name some subcortical structures and their primary functions.
Medulla (controls heart rate), Cerebellum (balance), Hypothalamus (basic drives such as hunger and thirst).
What are neurotransmitters and how do agonists and antagonists affect them?
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that facilitate neuronal communication. Agonists increase their effects, while antagonists decrease them.
List the main components of a neuron and their functions.
Dendrites (receive signals), Cell Body (sums up signals), Axon (transmits the signal), Myelin Sheath (insulation for faster transmission).
What is the tension between the scientific conception of the brain and humanist values?
The scientific view sees the mind mechanistically, which conflicts with ideas of free will, moral responsibility, and spiritual value.
Why is the use of possession in language (e.g., 'my brain') significant in the context of Dualism?
It reflects the common-sense view that the self is distinct from the physical body parts, supporting the dualistic perspective.
What is parallel processing in the context of brain function?
It means the brain operates through distributed, parallel networks, processing different tasks simultaneously.
What is Dualism and who is a key proponent of this view?
Dualism is the belief that humans are immaterial souls possessing physical bodies. A key proponent is Rene Descartes.
What is the 'method of doubt' and how is it related to Dualism?
The 'method of doubt' is Descartes's process of doubting everything except the existence of his own thoughts. It supports Dualism by asserting that the mind is distinct from the body.
Explain hemispheric specialization and an example of it.
Hemispheric specialization means certain functions are more dominant in one hemisphere. For example, language is typically more dominant in the left hemisphere for right-handed people.
Describe the effects of drugs like Curare, Alcohol, and Amphetamines on neurotransmitters.
Curare blocks motor neurons (antagonist), Alcohol inhibits inhibitory brain parts, and Amphetamines increase arousal via norepinephrine.
What methodologies are used in neuropsychology to study brain function?
Imaging techniques like CAT, PET, fMRI, and studying brain damage or disorders such as apraxia, agnosia, sensory neglect, aphasia, and acquired psychopathy.
What is the Astonishing Hypothesis proposed by Francis Crick?
The hypothesis that all aspects of human experience are the result of nerve cells and their associated molecules.
What role does the corpus callosum play in brain function?
It connects the two hemispheres of the brain, allowing them to communicate with each other.
How does modern neuroscience challenge Dualism?
Modern neuroscience shows that the mind is a product of brain activities, making the idea of an immaterial soul interacting with the physical body scientifically questionable.
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