Passionate Machines

By Webmdave ~

Animals often strike us as passionate machines -- Eric Hoffer, Reflections on the Human Condition

As scientific advancements unveil the mysteries of the universe, it becomes increasingly evident that everything appears to operate mechanistically. Atoms, molecules, stars, planets, cells, and biological systems are fundamentally mechanical. If the existence of a supernatural, invisible soul within my body is negated, then it is undeniable that I too am a machine. Complex machines, including self-programming ones, remain machines nonetheless.

Some individuals may contend that life forms are fundamentally distinct from inanimate objects, despite both being composed of atoms and molecules. However, a closer examination reveals that this distinction is tenuous.      

Vegetable matter, such as plants, is commonly regarded as alive, while mineral matter, such as rocks, is not. Yet, both vegetables and minerals are acknowledged as matter, composed of atoms and molecules. Since all atoms and molecules are in perpetual motion, both a stationary stone in a field and a flourishing corn crop nearby are constantly in motion. Additionally, the transformation of matter from one form to another is a continuous process in nature. While some types of matter undergo slow changes over millennia, others undergo rapid changes. The mechanistic nature of both mineral and vegetable matter is undeniable.

Animals, too, are composed of matter. The atoms and molecules that comprise an animal's mind and body operate mechanistically. Animal bodies are subject to damage caused by accidents, diseases, or old age, which can impair their proper functioning. Animals can be viewed as complex machines susceptible to various factors that can disrupt their normal operations.

Even animals with complex brains, which not all animals possess, are vulnerable to brain damage caused by natural and unnatural events. Animals with brain damage exhibit behavioral changes compared to undamaged animals. Notably, the brains of even the most advanced animals on the planet, humans, are composed of atoms and molecules. The term "brain matter" is used precisely because the brain is composed of matter.

Denying the truth does not alter reality. We are an integral part of a mechanistic universe and, like the rest of the universe, we are also machines. While the notion of machines inhabited by invisible, supernatural souls may offer comfort, there is no empirical evidence to support such a belief.

Remarkably, our brains have evolved consciousness and the ability to contemplate our own existence. The reasons behind this enhancement in our species remain elusive, but the unraveling of this mystery is likely imminent.

Recent research conducted by Oxford University researchers has identified a distinct region of the human brain that appears unique compared to the brains of our closest relatives. This region, known as the ventrolateral frontal cortex, is involved in various cognitive and linguistic processes, and is present only in humans and other primates. Furthermore, specific parts of this region have been implicated in psychiatric conditions such as ADHD, drug addiction, and compulsive behavior disorders. Damage to other parts of this region, through stroke or neurodegenerative diseases, can affect language abilities.

The lead author of the study, Franz-Xaver Neubert of Oxford University, emphasizes that this area in the human frontal cortex lacks an equivalent in monkeys. This region is associated with strategic planning, decision-making, and multitasking abilities.

Therefore, our uniquely human abilities and behavioral tendencies do not seem to originate from external entities such as spirits, devils, or gods, nor from an invisible soul within us. Rather, they originate from a small section of our brains.

Comprehending that we operate as machines does not significantly alter our way of life. Plants, other animals, and minerals are unaware of their mechanistic behavior, yet they exist and function effectively without any specific frustrations or profound existential concerns.

Unlike any other species on Earth, humans possess the capacity to contemplate and experience the universe in a unique manner. Instead of engaging in self-congratulation for our achievements or seeking solace in primitive myths, legends, and religions, we should strive to further our understanding of reality and maximize our experience of it.