Descartes said that the pineal gland ``is the principal seat of the soul, and the place in which all our thoughts are formed''. Even though there is little of the soul in a place that regulates our sleep patterns, he thought he had the answer for what is a deep problem. These kinds of questions, about reality and our place in it, have always been with me, and made me interested in Physics from very early on, as a way of producing meaningful answers. Because of this, I have always strived to learn as much I could, to be the best I can academically, and to involve myself in research, so I too can contribute to this dialogue. The reason I quoted Descartes is that wondering about the brain actually led me to pursue medicine when I was starting university. During these three years, I worked on some neuroscience projects, like studying how the birth of new neurons in rats is affected when taking different antipsychotics, and even went to Greece, where I learned about how to read electrical brain activity to understand memory paths. However, as I was studying about vertebr\ae\ and antibiotic classes, I progressively found that my curiosity had been much more satisfied when I was learning Physics for fun and studying for the International Physics Olympiads, where I even got a bronze medal. …show more content…
It was not an easy decision -- in Portugal, this implies starting undergraduate studies all over again -- but I am happy I made it. I finished the three-year B.Sc.\ degree as first of my class, and I am now on my first year of a Master's program. I chose the Nuclear and Particle Physics curriculum, so this year I am taking courses like Quantum Field Theory, General Relativity and Nuclear and Hadronic Models, to learn about the fundamental physical theories. My goal is not only to learn the theories, but also to be able to understand how these models intersect and where they become
One of the most complex aspects of being human relates to the state of consciousness. It offers perhaps the most varied of experiences, from the state in which people are in when they are not conscious to the representation of semi-consciousness to the full reality of the waken state. Cognitive neuroscience may be one of the most well-explored areas of human well-being, and yet there is still so much more to learn about the inner workings of arguably the most important organ in the body. Chapter 3 delves into the concept of consciousness and the two-track mind, in an attempt to explain everything from sleep issues to addiction to the hypnosis to the ways in which the brain processes just about everything. The brain is a highly complex organ that is responsible for everything from knowledge to personality and everything in between.
In this memo, I will introduce myself with my major, some of my background, why I am taking the English 341 course, and what I hope to get out of taking this course. In the Spring of 2012, I was admitted and enrolled in NMT for the study of physics with the astrophysics option. Recently, last semester, I dropped the astrophysics option and am now a general physics major primarily due to funding issues with the GI Bill. Prior to beginning my time at NMT, I served for nine years in the U.S. Army.
However, individuals such as Ramon y Cajal and Rene Descartes embraced the argument that the brain was
My interest in a counseling related profession and helping others spawned as a result of a lifetime of learning and curiosity; namely, mindfully molding my thoughts, actions, and habits into a perpetual pattern of unconscious and unpremeditated altruistic behavior. Furthermore, I have always aspired to determine the roots of all my emotions and master the behaviors of a trustworthy, loyal, courteous, and kind individual. Every day should begin with the thought, “What can I, as an individual or collaboratively with others, accomplish to relieve part of the shared and total human suffering of this world?” If such a mantra was revered by the collective consciousness of the human race, misery and suffering would be sharply reduced, if not eliminated
In the sixth meditation, Descartes postulates that there exists a fundamental difference in the natures of both mind and body which necessitates that they be considered as separate and distinct entities, rather than one stemming from the other or vice versa. This essay will endeavour to provide a critical objection to Descartes’ conception of the nature of mind and body and will then further commit to elucidating a suitably Cartesian-esque response to the same objection. (Descartes,1641) In the sixth meditation Descartes approaches this point of dualism between mind and matter, which would become a famous axiom in his body of philosophical work, in numerous ways. To wit Descartes postulates that he has clear and distinct perceptions of both
He reasons that the idea of the body is the ideas of something extended like shape and size. This predicts the mind and body dualism, and the regulation of essential and supplementary qualities. Descartes found the essence of the mind which is to think; and the embodiment of matter, which is to be expanded. He also infers that despite his underlying beliefs, the psyche is a far superior knower than the body and that it is more realistic than the material world. Descartes infers that he must know his mind more than anything.
Summarize Descartes’s view of the mind-body relationship Descartes researched the brain and
At the age of ten being raised by minority parents was very difficult for me at the time. At the age of ten I was forced for my English and Spanish vocabulary to be very proficient due to always translating for my parents. At that age learning both languages was annoying, frustrating, and difficult; however that experience shaped me to be a proficient bilingual nurse present and gain benefits by being bilingual. The benefits where the many open job opportunities with the increase pay. This experience also assisted to raise my daughter to speak and write both languages actively although just not the way my parents forced it on me.
He was the first to put so much emphasis on this area of the brain that it caused there to be more focus on it in the scientific world. Research has shown that the pineal gland is an endocrine organ that secretes hormones, specifically Melatonin, but there has been no evidence that it is the connection between the mind and body. This idea about the pineal gland is largely rejected in the science community and by many theorists. Even Descartes started to be unsure about the pineal gland since there was no way to tell how the connection was actually made. Later in his life, he wrote a letter to Princess Elizabeth of the Palatinate in which he said, “[T]he union of mind and body is best understood by not thinking about it, and that it is just one of those mysteries that has to be accepted without
This has strengthened my conviction that I am making the right decisions for my career path. I have learnt to be a caring individual and I believe that I can achieve more through hard work and effort I put in by attending school, volunteering at the Healthy Living and attending work placements. My voracious interest in science and technology has been a big influence on deciding to pursue a career in
In his philosophical thesis, of the ‘Mind-Body dualism’ Rene Descartes argues that the mind and the body are really distinct, one of the most deepest and long lasting legacies. Perhaps the strongest argument that Descartes gives for his claim is that the non extended thinking thing like the Mind cannot exist without the extended non thinking thing like the Body. Since they both are substances, and are completely different from each other. This paper will present his thesis in detail and also how his claim is critiqued by two of his successors concluding with a personal stand.
I never imagined that I would become an Boy Scout and, being only eleven years old, I never dreamed that I could really achieve the legendary status of Eagle Scout. When you are placed in an institution were advancement is almost inherent, it is easy to become passive, easy to go along for the ride and expect that, by merely participating diligently, you will arrive at your desired destination. However, as I grew older and progressed through the ranks, I watched my elders grow too. In the BSA, the cutoff for participation as a boy scout and eligibility for its highest rank is 18. Precious few of my mentors made that deadline, all of them motivated and active individuals.
The first book I can remember falling in love with was Louisa May Alcott's 'Little Women', it compelled me with its ties of sisterhood, and how utterly different their lives were in comparison to my own. As I continue to grow and my ability to read texts analytically has improved I can appreciate other aspects in the novel, such as the growing feminist theme of strong women. I had previously assumed that the patriarchy confined and oppressed women, Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' has challenged my perceptions on 19th century women. Throughout my life literature and reading have been of the utmost importance, and academically this quickly translated into my love for English.
Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., a former United States Ambassador, once said, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going. " These are the words I repeat to myself when I face hardships while training. Fitness has impacted my life in many ways: it has given me pride, confidence, and has taught me responsibility. This lifestyle has shaped me to become a man who is passionate, and dedicated to discover and apply my capabilities.
Two important ideas of Descartes which are 1) perception, reproduction and attention as function of body and 2) animal do not possess soul helped who follow him to study on animals and understand to human behavior. Descartes provide testable hypotheses about relationships between behavior and physiology. He believed in concept of consciousness that was the distinction between human beings and animals. From his influential work, Spinoza and Leibnitz contribute to early development of science of psychology.