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eglaser's picture

Thinking about thinking

As we begin to discuss the neocortex and the concept of 'higher thinking' or thinking about thinking, I am intrigued by the thought of how that thought process works. Is a neocortex all that is required for 'higher thinking'? If so, why have we developed it where other mammals have not? Or have they? I understand how the brain is shaped by our personal experiances and behaviors but how does thinking alter the brain?

Simple thought is not necessarily considered to be a behavior so, does it have an impact on the structure of the brain? Can you detect thoughts in the brain with an MRI? What is the physiology of a thought?

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