Reptilians
Paul MacLean
Triune brain ( "triune brain") is a model of the structure and evolution of the brain
developed
by Paul D.
MacLean (1 May 1913-26 December 2007),
an American doctor who specializes in neuroscience, who made
important contributions in the field of psychiatry.
The theory
According to MacLean, there are three
anatomical structures distinguishable:
- R-complex
- limbic System
- neocortex
Each of these structures is used as
certain functions; these functions were translated into operators.
R-complex (or reptilian brain): he
takes care of the needs and innate instincts in man; the reptilian
operators are as follows:
- isoprassico,
- specific,
- sexual,
- territorial,
- hierarchical,
- thunderstorm,
- sequential,
- space,
- semiotic.
In the limbic system (the brain or
paleomammaliano) affects the individual's emotions; in fact, this
structure contains predominantly emotional operators: phobic,
aggressive, parental care, maternal recall, falling in love, fun.
The neo-cortex (the brain or
neomammaliano) is the seat of the specific operators that
characterize the human being: holistic, reductive, generalizzatore,
causal, binary, emotional.
The R-complex resides in the
diencephalon, in the midbrain and in the initial part of the
telencephalon. At a structural level, the limbic system consists of
the olfactory bulbs, the septum, the fornix, the hippocampus, the
amygdala, the cingulate gyrus, the mammillary bodies. The structure
is formed by neocortical neuronal matter.
Bibliography
Ernandes Michele, Neurobiology and
genesis of religions, Firenze, Alinea, 2006.
Paul D. MacLean, Evolution of the brain
and human behavior. Studies on the triune brain, with an introductory
essay by Luciano Gallino, Torino, Einaudi, 1984. ISBN 88-06-05684-0
(EN) Russell Gardner; Gerald A. Cory,
The evolutionary neuroethology of Paul MacLean. Convergences and
Frontiers, New York, Praeger, 2002, ISBN 0-275-97219-4, OCLC
49649452.
(EN) VA Kral; Paul D. MacLean, A Triune
concept of the brain and behavior, by Paul D. MacLean. Including
Psychology of memory, and Sleep and dreaming; papers presented at
Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, February 1969, by VA Kral [et
al, Toronto], Published for the Ontario Mental Health Foundation by
Univ. of Toronto Press, 1973, ISBN 0-8020-3299-0, OCLC 704665 .
(EN) Paul D. MacLean, The triune brain
in evolution. Role in paleocerebral functions, New York, Plenum
Press, 1990, ISBN 0-306-43168-8, OCLC 20295730.