Dualism
(René
Descartes)
●
Concept
:
Humans
possess
both
a
physical
body
and
a
distinct
soul,
unlike
animals
and
machines.
●
Core
Beliefs
:
○
Humans
can
perform
non-reflexive
actions
that
machines
cannot.
○
The
only
certainty
is
the
existence
of
thought
("I
think,
therefore
I
am").
○
The
soul
is
separate
from
the
body;
thoughts
are
real
even
if
the
physical
body
may
not
be.
●
Intuitive
Nature
:
○
Even
if
the
body
changes,
the
person
remains
the
same.
○
We
perceive
ourselves
as
owning
our
brain,
separate
from
our
identity.
○
Belief
in
survival
beyond
bodily
destruction
(e.g.,
heaven,
hell,
reincarnation).
●
Modern
Science
:
○
Challenges
dualism,
suggesting
there
is
no
"you"
outside
the
brain.
○
Humans
are
essentially
complex
arrangements
of
neurons.
○
Machines
and
AI
can
replicate
many
human
functions.
○
Brain
imaging
(fMRI)
shows
physical
and
machine-like
properties
of
the
brain.
Neurons
(Basic
Units
of
the
Brain)
●
Structure
:
○
Dendrites
:
Receive
signals
from
other
neurons
(excitatory/inhibitory).
○
Axon
:
Transmits
signals,
protected
by
the
myelin
sheath.
●
Types
:
○
Sensory
Neurons
:
Sense
the
outside
world.
○
Motor
Neurons
:
Enable
movement.
○
Interneurons
:
Connect
neurons
within
the
brain
and
spinal
cord.
●
Function
:
○
Neurons
fire
or
don't
fire;
intensity
coded
by
firing
frequency.
○
Connected
chemically
across
synapses;
neurotransmitters
transmit
signals.
○
Agonists
:
Increase
neurotransmitter
activity.
○
Antagonists
:
Decrease
or
block
neurotransmitter
activity.
Brain
Function
and
Structure
●
Resistance
to
Damage
:
○
The
brain
can
endure
significant
damage
due
to
neuroplasticity.
●
Parallel
Processing
:
○
The
brain
processes
information
rapidly
and
simultaneously.
●
Reflexes
:
○
Certain
actions
(e.g.,
vomiting,
reflexes)
don't
require
brain
involvement
(medulla
handles
basic
functions
like
breathing
and
heartbeat).
●
Brain
Areas
:
(René
Descartes)
●
Concept
:
Humans
possess
both
a
physical
body
and
a
distinct
soul,
unlike
animals
and
machines.
●
Core
Beliefs
:
○
Humans
can
perform
non-reflexive
actions
that
machines
cannot.
○
The
only
certainty
is
the
existence
of
thought
("I
think,
therefore
I
am").
○
The
soul
is
separate
from
the
body;
thoughts
are
real
even
if
the
physical
body
may
not
be.
●
Intuitive
Nature
:
○
Even
if
the
body
changes,
the
person
remains
the
same.
○
We
perceive
ourselves
as
owning
our
brain,
separate
from
our
identity.
○
Belief
in
survival
beyond
bodily
destruction
(e.g.,
heaven,
hell,
reincarnation).
●
Modern
Science
:
○
Challenges
dualism,
suggesting
there
is
no
"you"
outside
the
brain.
○
Humans
are
essentially
complex
arrangements
of
neurons.
○
Machines
and
AI
can
replicate
many
human
functions.
○
Brain
imaging
(fMRI)
shows
physical
and
machine-like
properties
of
the
brain.
Neurons
(Basic
Units
of
the
Brain)
●
Structure
:
○
Dendrites
:
Receive
signals
from
other
neurons
(excitatory/inhibitory).
○
Axon
:
Transmits
signals,
protected
by
the
myelin
sheath.
●
Types
:
○
Sensory
Neurons
:
Sense
the
outside
world.
○
Motor
Neurons
:
Enable
movement.
○
Interneurons
:
Connect
neurons
within
the
brain
and
spinal
cord.
●
Function
:
○
Neurons
fire
or
don't
fire;
intensity
coded
by
firing
frequency.
○
Connected
chemically
across
synapses;
neurotransmitters
transmit
signals.
○
Agonists
:
Increase
neurotransmitter
activity.
○
Antagonists
:
Decrease
or
block
neurotransmitter
activity.
Brain
Function
and
Structure
●
Resistance
to
Damage
:
○
The
brain
can
endure
significant
damage
due
to
neuroplasticity.
●
Parallel
Processing
:
○
The
brain
processes
information
rapidly
and
simultaneously.
●
Reflexes
:
○
Certain
actions
(e.g.,
vomiting,
reflexes)
don't
require
brain
involvement
(medulla
handles
basic
functions
like
breathing
and
heartbeat).
●
Brain
Areas
:
