Prologue

Abstract

The human brain is both the most complex system and the most enigmatic organ we know of in our world. In view of its enormous complexity, a fundamental problem is this: What are the relevant questions we can ask about brain activity? These questions are closely connected with the methods of analysis we have at hand. The most prominent method is that of decomposing a complex system. In the case of the brain we then find individual parts, such as neurons and glia cells. When we decompose these cells further, we find, for instance, membranes, receptors, organelles and, at a still more fundamental level, biomolecules. Within these cells and among them, numerous chemical, electrical and electro-chemical processes are going on. But here the puzzle begins: In order to steer movements, to recognize patterns, or to make decisions — to mention but a few examples — myriads of neurons must cooperate in a highly regulated, well-ordered fashion. But to put this question in anthropomorphic terms, who or what steers the behavior of the neurons? Everybody who has thought about this problem will recognize that here we are touching upon the mystery of the mind-body problem. The answer that I shall expostulate in this book is based on synergetics, an interdisciplinary field of research that I initiated in 1969 and that has found numerous applications in physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, and other fields. To substantiate my answer, I shall proceed along two lines: On the one hand, I shall invoke general principles and concepts of synergetics. On the other hand, and perhaps still more importantly, I shall present concrete models that allow us to represent experimental results in great detail. But again, these models are formulated from a unifying point of view — that of synergetics.