Microscopic Computation In Human Brain Evolution

    Authors

    R. Wallace

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Behav. Sci.

    Keywords

    QUANTUM MECHANICS; CONSCIOUSNESS; COMPLEXITY THEORY; EVOLUTIONARY; THEORY; COGNITIVE MAPPING; BIOLOGICAL-MEMBRANES; CELLULAR AUTOMATA; PHASE-TRANSITIONS; EARLY; HOMINIDS; MODEL; COMPLEXITY; HIPPOCAMPUS; NETWORKS; MEMORY; BASES; Psychology; Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary

    Abstract

    When human psychological performance is viewed in terms of cognitive modules, our species displays remarkable differences in computational power. Algorithmically simple computations are generally difficult to perform, whereas optimal routing or ''Traveling Salesman'' Problems (TSP) of far greater complexity are solved on an everyday basis. It is argued that even ''simple'' instances of TSP are not purely Euclidian problems in human computations, but involve emotional, autonomic, and cognitive constraints. They therefore require a level of parallel processing not possible in a macroscopic system to complete the algorithm within a brief period of time, A microscopic neurobiological model emphasizing the computational power of excited atoms within the neuronal membrane is presented as an alternative to classical connectionist approaches, The evolution of the system is viewed in terms of specific natural selection pressures driving satisfying computations toward global optimization. The relationship of microscopic computation to the nature of consciousness is examined, and possible mathematical models as a basis for simulation studies are briefly discussed.

    Journal Title

    Behavioral Science

    Volume

    40

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-1995

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    133

    Last Page

    158

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:A1995QU67100003

    ISSN

    0005-7940

    Share

    COinS