Title

Microscopic Computation In Human Brain Evolution

Authors

Authors

R. Wallace

Comments

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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

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