Yet the brain isn't the only way to affect cognition. In fact, the neurons in the brain play very little in the ways of our cognitive abilities, and instead most of our desires are controlled by other body parts. For example, the stomach determines when you're hungry or not, not your brain.
this greeting-card view of the origins of our emotions may be well-supported by disney films, but not by any serious investigation of human physiology.
neurons are precisely where our appetites originate: "The brain detects alterations in energy stores and triggers metabolic and behavioral responses designed to maintain energy balance. Energy homeostasis is controlled mainly by
neuronal circuits in the hypothalamus and brainstem, whereas reward and motivation aspects of eating behavior are controlled by
neurons in limbic regions and cerebral cortex." emphasis mine.
In what way, though? If I wanted to build a conscious brain, how would I go about doing so? Which wires go where, so to speak?
one of the neat things about brains is that the build themselves. that said, we understand how brains build themselves quite well.
nevertheless, the capacity to understand a thing and the capacity to build a thing are different matters. no one can build a yeast cell, but it would be asinine to assert that this implies that yeast has nothing to do with leavening. or that we don't understand yeast cells very thoroughly.
you claim that "The brain is simply one part of our spiritual machinery. The heart and stomach are just as important." in what way, though? if i wanted to build a conscious spiritual machine, how would i go about doing so? which wires go where, so to speak?
Ah, so seeing as how you understand how brains work, you can build one, right? If you understood precisely how it works, then you could easily build a logic system replicating a brain out of anything. I'm sure experts in AI are eagerly awaiting your groundbreaking discoveries.
one of the neat things about brains is that the build themselves. that said,
we understand how brains build themselves quite well. nevertheless, the capacity to understand a thing and the capacity to build a thing are different matters. no one can build a yeast cell, but it would be asinine to assert that this implies that yeast has nothing to do with leavening. or that we don't understand yeast cells very thoroughly.
you claim that "The brain is simply one part of our spiritual machinery. The heart and stomach are just as important." in what way, though? if i wanted to build a conscious spiritual machine, how would i go about doing so? which wires go where, so to speak? seeing as how you understand how spiritual machinery works, you can build it, right?
[...] human who lived for more than a year without a heart.
Incorrect.
you appear to be replying to my posts without actually reading what i've written. here's the link again:
Man lives 555 days without a heart.I never claimed one could live normally with half a brain. One cannot live with half a brain, half a heart, half a stomach.
for like the fifth time, i agree that death affects cognition. your ability to keep living is indeed a function of the integer number of each organ you have. not in dispute even a little bit.
dead bodies are not ideal candidates for understanding the cause and effect relationship between brains and thoughts. 'cause they're like, you know, dead and shit.
also you absolutely can live with
half a brain,
half a heart, or
half a stomach. only one of those causes cognitive impairment. guess which one.