Human Brain Power (Expository)

          Steve Gilman on an internet article is implying that, brainpower is simple put, “Intellectual Capacity”. The Pocket Oxford Dictionary defines the brain as “An organ of soft nervous tissue in the skull of vertebrates, the center of sensation and of intellectual and nervous activity”. In The New Book Of Knowledge Encyclopaedia, the writer claims, “The human brain is the most complex and highly developed of all brains” (336). Similarly affirmed by an internet source, “The human brain is the center of the human nervous system and is the most complex organ in any creature on earth” (Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia). In reality, we human beings possess a magnificent brain; unmatched, unchallenged or unequal to anything ever created. Surely, this ‘self assertive brainiator’ is the most delicate, highly designed and systematic structure in the world. Gilman continues, “Does a million dollars have any real power if it is simply buried in the ground?”  I will return to this question in a moment. The human brain can do many marvelous things; the brain was designed to be powerful. History demonstrates over thousands of years, the use or the effects of this powerful invention. To comprehend brain power, the expression of human intelligence, one would require a whole hearted focus on certain areas of study. So incredible is the brain, so unique is it, so structurally complex its parts, man is unable to deny its power..Thus, to fully understand the human brain power and potential one must combine the Scientific, the psychological and the religious perspective respectively

          Biologically, human Brain Power is evident in the structure, composition and function of its varying components. A dynamic structure supposedly intelligently designed to govern bodily demands is the brain; it is dynamic because of structure. It is stated by one writer, in the book, Life Science “More than ten billion neurons make the human brain. Firstly, the Anatomy of the brain is rather highly complicated, to begin with. In addition to billions of neurons, it is composed of and it also contains water; this organ is located in the skull of the human head. The Cerebrum, Cerebellum and Brain Stem are the three segments of the brain; each united and divided. As a result of its structure and composition many bodily functions are governed by these highly sensitive and complicated cells; the functions of these structures are visible. Research indicates brain neurons are responsible for the electrical charges that stimulate brain activity. Activities ranging from our ability to move, think, memory, hear, talk, taste, smell, balance, see ,sleep touch and even breathing and heart activity are all influenced by brain actions. Because of its “complication” to many scientists worldwide, the human brain is termed a “puzzler” as its mysteries seem impossible to unravel. To support the biological marvel of the brain a quotation is taken- taken from the Book, Exploring Physical Science, “Many attempts have been made to stimulate the activities of the brain..... However, such attempts to unravel the interconnections of the human brain have proved largely unsuccessful”. Trying to figure out the brain is like asking a kid about rocket science. How would he know? It continues, “For now, at least, the human brain still holds its many secrets”. “No one has been able to unravel or unlock all of the brains hidden activities because every time you look you find more” Life Science (359). Basically, you can see that the writers are saying the same thing. Thus, the power of the human brain is proved in three things: its structure, its composition and its functions.

          Previously, we saw that Brain power from a biological perspective lies in its structure, composition and function; the next step involves an analysis of the brain from a psychological perspective. Steve Gilman encourages his readers by saying, “Develop good habits of mind and you will have not just intelligence, but brainpower- the ability to use that intelligence effectively”. A sort of comparison is made between intelligence and the brain. Tom Robbins a United States novelist in a quotation states “If little else, the brain is an educational toy” (1936-) The significance of this statement is that, the whole function of the brain is not merely to retain information but to solve problems, problems for seemingly challenging situations. Like a toy, one has the ability to engage the mind with useful activity. Dr Ben Carson in his book Think Big quotes from a famous philosopher, “the mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be ignited”-Plutarch. Dr. Carson is a world-wide renowned Neurosurgeon who believes in the idea of - human brain power. In his autobiography, it outlines that Carson was gifted, in school; his classmates would tease him for being at the bottom of the class. Despite the odds, he weathered the storm and became an intellectual; a genius. Carson didn’t just rise to great success by merely thinking about it; he had to spend countless hours at the library, reading, before he could improve. So, was Carson as dumb as the other students in his class? Or, was he lucky? His case is tremendous evidence of “Brain power”. An example of the amazing fact that the brain has powerful retention capacity is as follows. Taken from an internet article, Brain Power: How Far can we actually reach? “Renowned French Philosopher Auguste Comte used to thoroughly assimilate his thoughts in memory before writing them” in addition , “his memory was so fantastic no book reference was necessary as a source in order for him to complete his six volumes of “ ‘positive philosophy’ ”. The human brain will go where you send. The human brain like Comtes’ can sort from memory your priorities. The human brain is indeed a psychological phenomenon. So now, a clearly analyzed understanding of “brain power” from a psychological perspective has been performed.

          Furthermore, I have previously attempted to demonstrate the essential importance of having a biological and psychological understanding of the brain. However, a religious investigation on the brain systems is useful. The human mind is the law and the law is the human mind. Turn with me to the Bible in the book of Psalms. According to the book of Psalms verse 14, it is said, “For I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (KJV). The interpretation of this quotation whether you believe or not consider it good or bad is that the whole human being including the brain was designed or created with such precision and keen attention to details that we are of immeasurable value . While walking some miles is a joy; running ten miles is a grief! Consider the fact that the animals were created wonderfully, the only thing that would differentiate us from them is our brain! Education, “God created the mind and ordained its laws” (41). This quotation is referring to creation. It is making a statement of declaration, a statement of historical event, a statement of fact. It wants to imply that human beings were intended to function on a spiritual level, function on a dependency to god, and function when the seat of human intelligence is submitted to a divine controller. Brain power is not something that humans originally possess; it is something that was ordained from the beginning. Truthfully, as a result of belief systems, we receive the assurance of unique design, unique value and unique brain power.

          In summary, the brain is like a powerful machine; this machine has the potential for excellence if put to correct use. The first aspect of our study outlined the biological components of the brain as important to understanding brain power. Brain power form this arena is based on the neurons and chemical components of the brain. Next we discussed the psychological perspective and saw how the mind is like a vessel, a vessel that if programmed correctly can be powerful. The final step was to analyze the religious perspective where we learned of a supernatural connection with this marvelous phenomenon. This marvelous phenomenon defends that human beings were created wonderfully with a brain, thus intelligent design being the reason for human brain power. One must unite all three perspectives together. I emphasize the point that human brain power is intellectual capacity. Yes, we do possess a magnificent brain. Human beings and human design and human intelligence and human brainpower are all the same. To answer the question outlined by Gilman from the start, “Does a million dollars have any real power if it is simply buried in the ground?” the answer is yes. Perhaps someone would discover the million dollars, perhaps he would dig it up, and perhaps he may decide to spend it after digging it up. Whether buried or not the value remains the same and only waiting to be discovered.


Mythical_Poet
2009