Recap

Hardwired Human Nature

Researcher Dr. Michael Gazzaniga discussed how the structure of the brain defines humanity. In describing the direction that brain research is heading, he said, "we're going to have to abandon our little 'cause and effect' model and get into what's called 'complex systems thinking' if we're going to really understand how the brain does its work."

He detailed how studies show that certain values are hardwired into peoples' brains, as opposed to being the result of outside forces. Aversion to murder, cheating, and incest are some of the moral judgements that cut across all cultures, according to Gazzaniga. While the question of "nature versus nurture" has been debated for decades, he said that advanced research techniques allow us to "actually see the brain mechanisms involved and you can understand the underlying physiological nature" of the mind.

Gazzaniga also noted that humans are unique in that, by nature, they are socially aware creatures. As such, he said, "a whole new neurophysiology" has been designed to study this aspect of behavior. Illuminating the difference between man and animal, he observed, "you have a theory about your dog, but your dog doesn't have a theory about you. That is the fundamental beauty of the human brain, in that we look beyond the surface."

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