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 septumamygdalaehypothalamushippocampal 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 model views different cognitive behaviors as caused by three different entities instead of one. The reptilian complex is said to control all instinctual and impulsive actions, while the neo-mammalian complex is responsible for keeping primitive instincts constrained. An example is controlling the impulse to eat. If one is hungry, the reptilian complex commands the body to eat. However, an individual has the rational choice not to eat when hungry, and this rational thought is said to be the "free will" to choose between the two, but by the neo-mammalian complex. Here we have an example of the fruit of good and evil. The model thus suggests that these two (and three, depending on the situation) structures are in a perpetual battle to control the body.

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).


DevolutionThe 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 materialA 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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