Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

Reply to comment

urbrainondrugs's picture

Where is "I"

I would like to know just where this I-box is located. It is the area that gives us free will and not be simply machines processing inputs and outputs according to the environment situation. If the system is, say allergic to dogs, then the input would be allergens and the outputs would be to sneeze and to move away from the flea bitten animal. However due to the I box, the system can sneeze and ignore the reaction of moving away from the animal, instead staying even closer to the dog and petting it. The I box is what controls all variability within the system of boxes. Therefore, it is assumed that without the i-box, the system would be in a state of vegetation. A person in a vegetative state is someone who's mind is gone, but the body is still running basic functions because the brain and brain stem and NS system is still intact. As wikipedia defines it, a coma which has progressed to a wakefull state but without any sign of awareness. Because there are many who are in this induced vegetative state, is it possible to study what areas of their minds are active and what areas are not? By comparing the connections in the nervous system that are active in a concious person versus a person in avegetative state might give us a clue as to where this I-box may be located. By finding the location of the I-box in the mind, might we also find a person's soul?

Reply

To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.
7 + 3 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.