I have hypothesized that humans actually do have a sixth sense, however, not to see dead people (lame joke). Rather, I have hypothesized, and it is possible for this to have been previously hypothesized, that the synthesis of the sensory input which is, to my understanding the constant revision of perception for the most accurate representation of reality, is that sixth sense. However, I'm not positive it has been determined precisely and agreed upon widely that there is a specific region of the brain responsible for the synthesis.
Initially I thought it might be beneath the midbrain, however, anything that happens beneath the midbrain, I believe, is a reaction to an apprehension of reality, whether it be emotive or benign.
I have made the assumption that it is done within the limbic system, more precisely within the amygdala or is the result of the communication of the two sides of the amygdala. Which would make this perception of meaning, a living process, to some degree.
Dear Carson:
If I get what you're saying, I think this synthesis (aka cognition) emerges from a dynamic network in which the brain plays a major role, but which also involves the rest of the body and its physical and sociocultural contexts. In addition to the traditional five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell), we have others, such as proprioception (including by some counts balance, kinesthesia and the sense of the state and workings of internal organs). Some buddhists consider metacognition (perceiving one's own mind) as an additional sense. I suppose the number of senses we have depends on how you slice the cognitive pie!
Best,
David
It is likely only partly so. Complex reactions/responses in the brain are created by what we can refer to as “purpose-designed“ networks (they become designed and active out of contextual necessities, dynamically ), and not a singular location. So, our skill sets are built up dynamically and their strengths/weaknesses also change dynamically with the context we happen to be in. So, yes, there is a synthesis. But the skills that led to that synthesis took years to develop in the way they are today—and to keep they will be dynamically changing again. See Fischer’s Dynamic Skill Theory for how these skills build up (similar to constructivist Piaget thinking).
- Badges
- Science method
- Similar topics
- Chemistry, Organic
- Synthesis