The Role of the Brain in Guiding Our Actions: An Exploration of Consciousness vs. Instinct

Do we only do what our brains tell us to do? This is a complex question that involves delving into the intricacies of brain functions and the relative roles of conscious thought and unconscious instinct.

Understanding the Brain's Dual Role

The brain, consisting of both the limbic system and the neocortex, plays a crucial role in shaping our actions and thoughts. The limbic system, the emotional and instinctual part of the brain, is primarily responsible for feelings and experiences, but it cannot comprehend words or explicit thoughts. On the other hand, the neocortex, which processes language, reason, and logic, is less dominant and weaker, requiring rest and nourishment.

Despite the apparent dominance of the neocortex, the limbic system can influence our actions, often making us believe that our impulses and feelings are our own ideas. This is a well-documented phenomenon where the neocortex fails to resist the impulses and emotional cues from the limbic system. For instance, if one feels overwhelmed by negative emotions or experiences a rough day, the left brain may struggle to maintain control, leading to negative thought and feeling loops.

The Battle of the Brains

Our brains are complex and dualistic, with the right hemisphere often associated with negative or anxious emotions and the left hemisphere with logical or positive thinking. In situations where stress or negative emotions are prevalent, the right hemisphere can sometimes overpower the left, leading to a difficult mental battle.

Techniques such as EEG biofeedback (EGMi) can help restore balance between the hemispheres. For example, if one had a rough day and was struggling to maintain logical thinking, EGMi could aid in maintaining a more controlled state, preventing negative thought loops that could lead to mental health issues. This addresses the impact of unconscious brain processes on conscious actions and well-being.

Examples of Actions Not Requiring Brain Interventions

Some actions can occur without direct brain intervention, such as the patellar knee-jerk reflex. In this reflex, a tap on the patellar tendon causes the leg to kick immediately, without the need for brain processing. This question of whether the knee-jerk action is a response to the brain's command or an automatic process reflects the broader discussion about the extent of brain control over actions.

However, not all bodily operations require brain intervention. For instance, basic molecular operations within cells do not necessarily involve brain involvement. This highlights the difference between actions controlled by higher brain functions and those that occur at a cellular or reflexive level, which are often automatic and unconscious.

Conscious vs. Unconscious Actions

The assertion that “you” doing something is essentially the brain doing it underscores a fundamental truth. There is no separate “you” distinct from the brain that can issue commands. Everything that exists and is known to exist is within the realm of our mental processes. Thus, to change our actions, we must change our perceptions and responses, no matter how subtle these changes may be.

The question of whether we are solely guided by our brains to take actions hinges on the definitions of 'you' and 'do.' While the brain is the primary organ responsible for guiding our actions, certain reflexes and cellular processes can occur without immediate brain intervention. Ultimately, for conscious actions, the brain is the core controller, influenced by both conscious and unconscious processes.

Conclusion:

In summary, while the brain is the primary driver of our actions, there are instances where automatic reflexes and cellular processes occur without immediate brain intervention. The key to changing our actions lies in altering our perceptions and responses, a process that is fundamentally rooted in our brain's functioning.