How can something that is tangible and can be measured, imaged and studied at the same time be the source of so much that is unmeasurable and unexplainable? I wonder how our brain can store all our emotions and memories and the personality that makes us who we are. It's as if invisible things are put away in a real place. Like putting your memories in a drawer so you can take them out later. If you looked in that drawer, you wouldn't see anything because a memory is not something you see with your eyes or touch with your fingers. The brain is a mystery.
I read an article about brain imaging...PET scans and MR's and such...that talked about how some criminals have been later found out after autopsy to have had a brain tumor. The point being made was that the tumor caused them to commit their crimes. So if the rule is that we are all responsible for our own actions, then are those that commit crimes in these circumstances an exception to that rule? And where does sin come to play in all of this? I find it a fascinating and frightening scenario to think that it could be possible to lose the ability to control your own actions. So what happens?...does the tumor in the brain...a tangible mass...squeeze out the space where the morality...the intangible...abides? The brain is a mystery.
And what about those with Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias? When someone looses their memory and no longer communicates with those around them, I wonder what state their soul is in. Is there any thoughts in their minds or are they rather in some kind of limbo? Is their soul in heaven and the body is still alive? Is it like being asleep and dreams are keeping your brain occupied?
I think the brain is a mystery that no one will ever truly understand. All this wondering about brains is making mine hurt.
So interesting. We were talking at dinner tonight about criminals and their brains. I mentioned how the mentally unstable who do horrible things to others create such a dilemma. Part of me feels bad for them, but the other part thinks that their brain is very much a part of them and must be held accountable for the actions if causes its body to do.
ReplyDeleteAnd then I turned to watch my kid as she learns new words and associations by the second, filling up her own brain at an amazing pace. It is awesome to observe.
The brain is an amazing thing.