How teaching molecules to think is revealing what a 'mind' really is

• We all struggle with self-control sometimes. • We tell ourselves only one more piece of chocolate, one more glass of wine, one more episode of a binge-worthy series before bed, but then carry on regardless. • But who, or what, even is this “self” engaging in this push and pull, before giving in to temptation? • The cells in our gut somehow collaborate with those in our brain and hands to reach for the chocolate bar, the wine bottle or the “next episode” button. • And, with ever-increasing complexity, at some point a line is crossed, and the whole becomes more than the sum of its parts. • That is to say, a self - the entity which acts in the world in ways that serve your goals and desires - emerges.

Article Summaries:

• We all struggle with self-control sometimes. We tell ourselves only one more piece of chocolate, one more glass of wine, one more episode of a binge-worthy series before bed, but then carry on regardless. But who, or what, even is this “self” engaging in this push and pull, before giving in to temptation? The cells in our gut somehow collaborate with those in our brain and hands to reach for the chocolate bar, the wine bottle or the “next episode” button. And, with ever-increasing complexity, at some point a line is crossed, and the whole becomes more than the sum of its parts. That is to say,

Sources:

• https://www.newscientist.com/article/2513815-how-teaching-molecules-to-think-is-revealing-what-a-mind-really-is/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home