BRAIN AND RELIGION
The Triune Brain
The
Triune Brain Complex
The
triune brain consists of the reptilian complex (basal ganglia), the paleomammalian complex
(limbic system), and the neo-mammalian
complex (neocortex), viewed each as
independently conscious and as structures sequentially added to the forebrain
in the course of evolution. According to the model, the basal ganglia oversees
our primal instincts, the limbic system oversees our emotions, and the
neocortex is responsible for objective or rational thoughts.
Since
the 1970s, in some circles of evolutionary and developmental neuroscience, the triune brain concept has been criticized and is regarded by some
as a myth. The hypothesis is no longer espoused by most comparative
neuroscientists in the post-2000 era due to harsh criticism against
it. It is essential to nuance these critics who raise absolute errors in
MacLean's theory but also make errors in their own interpretation.
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Reptilian
Complex
"Reptilian complex" (also known as the "R-complex,"
"reptilian brain," or "lizard brain") was the name MacLean
gave to the basal ganglia, structures derived from the
floor of the forebrain during development. The term derives from the idea that
comparative neuroanatomists once believed these structures dominated reptiles and birds' forebrains. MacLean proposed that the reptilian
complex was responsible for species-typical instinctual behaviors involved in
aggression, dominance, territoriality, and ritual displays.
Paleomammalian
Complex
This consists of the septum, amygdalae, hypothalamus, hippocampal complex, and cingulate cortex. MacLean first introduced the term "limbic
system" to
refer to this set of interconnected brain structures in a paper in 1952. MacLean's recognition of the limbic system as a primary functional system in the
brain was widely accepted among neuroscientists. He is generally regarded as
his most significant contribution to the field. MacLean maintained that the limbic system structures arose early in mammalian evolution (hence
"paleomammalian," with paleo- meaning old) and were responsible
for the motivation and emotion involved in feeding, reproductive behavior, and
parental behavior.
This consists of the
cerebral neocortex, a
structure found uniquely in higher mammals, especially humans. MacLean regarded its addition as the most recent
step in the evolution of the mammalian brain, conferring the ability for
language, abstraction, planning, and perception.
Interaction Between Structures
The triune brain model argues that these structures are relatively
independent of one another but are still connected in some form or another.
The limbic system is analogous to Elon Musk's thesis when he says that we
are extracting fossil energy from the depths of the earth and dumping it into the
atmosphere destabilizing the "Fine Tunning Universe" of God's Creation,
These interactions between the neocortex and the reptilian brain often
seem competitive, as the conscious thought generated by the neocortex can
suppress the primitive thoughts generated by the reptilian complex. Thus, the
model suggests that the interactions between structures are not constructive but conflicting due to the anatomical separation of the brain.
This separation is due to the disobedience of man eating the fruit of
good and evil. The man began to behave with the unconscious impulses of the
animal limbic system. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways My ways," saith the Lord." (Isaiah 55:8).
Devolution – The
Three Brains from a Christian Perspective
De-evolution,
or backward evolution, is the notion that species can
revert to supposedly more primitive forms over time. The concept relates to the idea
that evolution has a purpose (teleology) and is progressive (orthogenesis); for example, feet might be better than hooves or lungs than gills. However, evolutionary biology makes no such assumptions, and natural selection shapes adaptations without
foreknowledge. Minor changes (such as in the frequency of a single gene) can be reversed by chance or selection, but this is
no different from the ordinary course of evolution. De-evolution needs to be Compatible with a proper understanding of evolution due to natural
selection.
The concept of degenerative evolution was used by
scientists in the 19th century; at this time, it was believed by most biologists that evolution had some kind of direction.
In 1857, the physician Bénédict
Morel,
influenced by Lamarckism, claimed that environmental factors such as
taking drugs or alcohol would produce social
degeneration in
the offspring of those individuals and would revert those offspring to a primitive state. Morel, a
devout Christian, believed that mankind had started in
perfection, contrasting modern humanity to the past. Morel claimed there had
been "Morbid deviation from an original type." His theory of
devolution was later advocated by some biologists.
The Creation of Man
The Creationist
view in the book of Genesis is that man was created in perfection in the image
and likeness of his Creator. The Creator took the care to create man when he said:
"Let us make man in our image, (Spirit, Gen. 1:28).
Merriam dictionary says: An Image 1- Is a
visual representation of something: such as a likeness of an object
produced on a photographic material. A
picture produced on an electronic display (such as a television or computer
screen). The
optical counterpart of an object produced by an optical device (such as a lens
or mirror) or an electronic device.
2- A mental picture or impression of something. A mental conception held in common by members of a group and symbolic of a fundamental attitude and orientation.
According to our likeness (Corporeal, (Gen. 1:28) and form him in his likeness (2:7). Not like in Darwin's animals when the Creator said: "Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind, beasts and serpents and beasts of the earth after their kinds" (1:24).
Merriam dictionary – Likeness: 1- Exact likeness. 2- a person strikingly like another person. 3- A tangible or visible representation.
The Neocortex
The Creator encoded in man's DNA neurophysiological support that consists of the cerebral neocortex, a structure found uniquely in higher mammals, especially humans. Conferring, thus, the ability for language, abstraction,
planning, and perception. Other functions of the neocortex are spatial reasoning, conscious
thought, generating motor commands, and neuronal computations of attention.
In Psalm 8, reference is made to
the domain that God gave the first man over creation. "When I see your
heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon, and the stars that you formed, I
say: What is man, that you remember him, and the son of man, that you visit
him? You have made him little lower than the angels, and you crowned him with
glory and honor. You made him rule over the works of your hands; you put
everything under his feet: sheep and oxen, all of them, also the beasts of the
field, the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea; Whatever passes
through the paths of the sea." (vs 3-8)
The writer to the Hebrews makes
us see that those words written by David in Psalm 8 also describe the dominion
and greatness of Christ about God's creation. "You crowned him with glory
and honor and set him over the works of your hands; you held everything under
his feet." (Heb.
2:7-8)
(continue in the next blog)
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