Gerald Edelmen on Neural Darwinism

Gerald Edelmen is a biologist who talks about how the brain functions and looks at the mind to see if there is any biological or material processes. He thinks the mind is a very complex part of our body and says that its a highly cellualr process within the brain. He does agree with Darwin's theory of natural selection and evolution. In the introduction in the movie "Gerald Edelmen on Nueral Darwinism" the opening speaker says this about our mind, "Our mind is a tightly intertwined connection of processes of perception, memory, language, learning, intelligence, and consciousness. With mind we make the world." He is basically saying that our mind is the key to life. The only question left remains, is our mind a conscious state related to our brain or is our mind in fact also biologically set up. Edelmen says that, "The brain is the most exrtraordinary variable structure." He experiments with both mice and a robot to test memory. They are put in an area with a hidden platform and they must find that platform. The first time it takes both a while but they begin to realize where the platform is and they take a more direct route than previous times. This shows how our memory works; when we do not know something we must search for the answer but once we find that answer the next time we need it the answer will be much easier to remember. Edlemen also says that every consciousness theory must be consistent with evolutionary theories; which is the reason he agrees with darwin's neural theories. This movie was very long and at times hard to follow but it was interesting. . . i think. CHAKS TAKE