Integrated Theory of Intelligence
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Roger Sperry proposes that consciousness is an emergent property of the brain which has evolved from interactions of the simpler elements, and that the properties of the brain have capacities that are greater than the sum of the capacities of the parts involved.57...There is a mutual interaction between mental and neural events, and mind moves matter in the brain.58

Wilder Penfield, a neurophysiologist, in his book The Mystery of the Mind, states that, "There is no good evidence...that the brain alone can carry out the work the mind does.".59...Barbara Brown also draws the inescapable conclusion that the mind possesses an ability to regulate and control its own source, the brain.60

Evan Harris Walker, a quantum physicist at NASA Electronics Research Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, purports to demonstrate the mathematical relationships between the quantum events in the brain at the level of the synaptic junction, and conscious perception.61...His theory is expressed in complex mathematics not easily described in verbal metaphors; however, his major conclusions can be stated as follows:

(a) Consciousness is both real and non-physical.

(b) Consciousness is coupled to the physical brain by quantum mechanical wave function.

(c) The brain employs physical processes for some of its data management that can be described in terms of quantum physics.

(d) Events in the brain are governed by a higher-order or "hidden variable" which is synonymous with consciousness.62...The latter concept would at least in part refer to will.


There is no longer any question in my mind that both my unconsciousness and consciousness largely control the actions of my own body. I have the ability to will certain actions that my body then performs. There are unquestionably many physical constraints placed upon me limiting this process. I do not agree with those who have suggested that the conscious act of will is illusionary. I believe that the act of will represents one example of intelligence controlling the movement of matter and the expenditure of energy. In reciprocal fashion it again needs to be stated that matter-energy is continually perturbing intelligence, thus influencing the direction and rate of speed at which it operates. It would appear that the sciences of both mind and matter are turning from the atomistic reductionism of Aristotle toward the holistic integrated insertions of Plato.63

(11) In conjunction with will, another attribute of consciousness of similar nature is the principle of free agency. The great majority of body processes are occurring unconsciously, including much of our behavior, so that our bodies are largely functioning on automatic pilot. However, we do perform many acts that are the direct result of conscious thought, which requires a decision-making process. There is good evidence that higher non-human primates share this attribute, albeit to a lesser extent.




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