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[[Image:Cerebellum.png|right|thumb|200px|A human brain]]

[[Image:Cerebellum.png|right|thumb|200px|A human brain]]

The '''brain''' is a major part of the [[central nervous system]]. It is located in front of the other major part, the [[spinal cord]]. In simpler [[Nervous system | nervous systems]] the brain can be as simple as a single or small collection of [[neurons]] called [[ganglia]]. In the [[vertebrate]]s, the brain is much more complex and is divided into three separate areas, the [[forebrain]], the [[midbrain]], and the [[hindbrain]]. The brain is involved in higher functioning such as decision-making, speech, and processing of the [[senses]].  

The '''brain''' is a major part of the [[central nervous system]]. In vertebrates, the brain is connected to the [[spinal cord]]. In invertebrates' [[Nervous system | nervous systems]]s, the brain can be a decentralized collection of [[neurons]] or a single [[Ganglia | ganglion]]. In the [[vertebrate]]s, the brain is much more complex and is divided into three separate areas, the [[forebrain]], the [[midbrain]], and the [[hindbrain]]. The brain is involved in higher functioning such as decision-making, speech, and processing of the [[senses]].

 

In adult humans, the brain weighs about 3 lbs., with 100 billion neurons, and up to 100 trillion connections.

Investigations using new techniques such as [[fMRI]] are expanding knowledge on the relationship between the brain and behavior.

Investigations using new techniques such as [[fMRI]] are expanding knowledge on the relationship between the brain and behavior.

==Free Will==

==Free Will==

Many [[liberal]] scientists believe that modern [[neuroscience]] is a subversion of [[free will]], and that the brain is all there is to personality. This is to the direct exclusion of the [[soul]] and [[God]]'s will. For instance, if someone was to commit a crime, that person could be exonerated on the basis of his neurological abnormalities, which are not his fault. [[Descartes]] attempted to avoid this issue by placing the soul at the helm of the individual, stating that it was our spirits that truly drive us. The soul attached to the brain via the [[pineal gland]], communicating with the corporeal matter by squeazing the central gland, and pumping cerebrospinal fluid through the body.  However, his [[atheism]] left no place for communion of the soul with God, and Descartes was also mistaken in the belief that only humans have pineal glands. Many conservative scientists are now taking into account the soul, when they factor in free will, which allows for much more variation among individuals.

Many [[liberal]] scientists believe that modern [[neuroscience]] is a subversion of [[free will]], and that the brain is all there is to personality. This is to the direct exclusion of the [[soul]] and [[God]]'s will. For instance, if someone was to commit a crime, that person could be exonerated on the basis of his neurological abnormalities, which are not his fault. [[Descartes]] attempted to avoid this issue by placing the soul at the helm of the individual, stating that it was our spirits that truly drive us. The soul attached to the brain via the [[pineal gland]], communicating with the corporeal matter by squeazing the central gland, and pumping cerebrospinal fluid through the body.  However, his [[atheism]] left no place for communion of the soul with God, and Descartes was also mistaken in the belief that only humans have pineal glands. Many conservative scientists are now taking into account the soul, when they factor in free will, which allows for much more variation among individuals.

==References==

==References==

* Martin, JH (2003). Neuroanatomy text and atlas 3rd ed., New York: McGraw-Hill.

* Martin, JH (2003). Neuroanatomy text and atlas 3rd ed., New York: McGraw-Hill.

* Kandel, ER; Schwartz JH, Jessell TM (2000). Principles of Neural Science, 4th ed., New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-8385-7701-6.

* Kandel, ER; Schwartz JH, Jessell TM (2000). Principles of Neural Science, 4th ed., New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-8385-7701-6.

[[Category:Anatomy]]

[[Category:Anatomy]]

[[Category:Neuroscience]]

[[Category:Neuroscience]]