The Biological Origins of the Fall From Grace

[angelicfruit]

I recently came across a website that discusses evolution of the human brain and the 'biological orgins of the fall from grace'. I thought it might be of interest to other people here too. Here's a bit of the introduction:

An investigation into the evolution of the human brain.
A journey to the edge of the human mind.

Today's scientists tell us that the human brain expanded at an increasingly rapid rate then suddenly stopped. They provide no plausible explanation for either event.

Religious tradition and our earliest myths tell us that we once lived in a benign state of perpetual wonder and joy but from this we regressed. The reasons for this are obscure.

Do these apparently unrelated perspectives have something in common?
A new theory suggests the evolution of our brain was influenced by changes in the activity of our own hormones. The hormones in question significantly alter the way our brain develops and functions, particularly during early pregnancy.

If correct the theory would shed light on a number of recently uncovered anomalies within the human mind. It might also make sense of the stories alluding to humanities degeneration that are preserved in virtually all cultural myths and religions.

It suggests both perspectives tell the same story. The conclusions are unexpected and shocking:-

Has humanity suffered from a progressive neurological condition that has distorted our perception?

Do we still have unimaginable potential just waiting to be unlocked?

For more info including a study on sleep deprived people who are on a long term raw food diet see Left in the Dark

[Megan]

Thanks for the info. Here's an e-mail I just sent to your linked site:

If autistic savants are "released from the tyranny of the left brain," as Darold Treffort suggests, then why do they lack empathy, since empathy is what the right brain specializes in, according to Simon Baron-Cohen?

If autistic savants are left-brain damaged, right-brain compensating (or rather, right-brain freely functioning), then why do they not develop "theory of mind?"

Wisconsin Medical Society - Savant FAQ

It would seem more logical to me for them to be right-brain damaged. Hmmm.

So...if we are ideally to be "released from the tyranny of the left brain," why should we expect to be more spiritual, when the savants are more like human calculators, and are non-relational--if anything more under left-brain tyranny?

As I said, the site is interesting, but I don't know what to make of it so far.

It's late and I seem to be missing something important here--maybe it will all make sense in the morning.

Megan

[Uplift]

Thanks for the link, really, really interesting. I've ordered the book.

[agnostic]

Thanks a million for this reference. This stuff is mindblowing. I've spent all afternoon reading stuff about this theory. This could offer a cure for dogmatism.