Mathematics, Innate Knowledge and Neuroscience, COMPLETE

After reviewing the position of Plato for the existence of innate knowledge, tabula inscripta, and the opposing position of Aristotle and Locke that the human mind is a tabula rasa, certain philosophical positions of the Ancient Greeks about Mathematics, will be recalled. The above positions will then be discussed within the context of the astounding modern achievements of Neuroscience. In particular, 'bottom up' processes which are basically innate, and 'top down' processes which rely on experience stored in memory, will be discussed. In addition, the importance of different time scales in conscious and unconscious processes will be elucidated. Finally, it will be shown that modern brain imaging techniques provide an important example of the crucial role played by Mathematics in understanding the essence of various phenomena, a fact which was philosophically appreciated first by Pythagoras. Hosted by the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University Sponsored by the Onassis Foundation University Seminars Program. * Email: [email protected]