Hacia un modelo neurobiológico del fenómeno de la autoconciencia

Abstract

In this work we flIIIllyze the problem fo human conciousness from a monist point of view, including the actual knowledge in neurobiology. Three questions are discussed: 1. Can we localize human conciousness in certain regions of the Central Nervous System? 2. Are there areas whose functioning may explain self conciousness? 3. Is conciousness an unitary 01' a composed phenomena? In attempting to answer the~e questions, concious· ness in analyzed from a classical neurological point of view. Next, self conciousness is described within the framework of cerebral associacionism. The most relevant atributes of self conciouSlless, Le.: perception, memory, affect, language, attention and planning, are discussed and analyzed on the light of current knowledge in neurosciences. It is concluded that in self conciousness limbic structures and its cortical connections, specially in the nondominant hemisphere, playa pivotal role. This system is called the primary self con· ciousness system, common to man and some animal species. The secondary self conciousness system is based on the functioning of linguisticJlreas of the dominant hemisphere, and exp/ains in its own terms the contributions of the primary system. The whole system pro· vides a great evolutive advantage with some Iimitations, giving as a final product the human culture.