The Principles of Design and Operation of the Brain

This book is based on a study week of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences at the Vatican in 1988. It deals with various aspects of the organization and function of the cerebral cortex with specific reference to higher human mental functions such as language. The articles from experts in the field concentrate on the phylogenetic and ontogenetic development of the primate cortex, including specific articles on the visual, auditory, somato-sensory and motor cortex as well as the frontal parietal and temporal association cortex with special emphasis on their function. Basic mechanisms of memory and memory dysfunction or disease, cerebral metabolism during mental operations and modelling motor behavior round up this overview. The brain/mind problem was discussed throughout the Conference and especially during the concluding discussion. Protocols of the discussions and concluding summary are included in this volume.