This book contains my original theory, called MDT (Modeling Devices
Theory) on the basic hardware function of the brain (human or animal).
As any scientific theory, it is a symbolic model. Any symbolic model is
based on a limited number of basic terms and a limited number of basic
relations between the basic terms.
For the basic terms and only for them, there are accepted descriptive
definitions. All the others terms are generated by the model, together
with their normal definitions. These definitions are generated by the
model by logical and mathematical procedures.
These are the basic characteristics of any scientific theory and so, I
follow the procedures described above, to make a theory on the basic
hardware functions of the brain.
This theory is in a total opposition with all the actual sciences
associated with the functions of the brain. The present sciences,
associated with the functions of the brain, are not based on a single
fundamental model. In this way, as my theory will be accepted, all what
it was already written in the actual sciences associated with the
functions of the brain, have to be re-written or forgotten.
This attempt of total revolution is necessary because the actual
sciences on the brain don't use normal definitions of the terms; there
are only descriptions associated with them. Because the definitions of
the terms are not generated by a single fundamental model, the logical
corelation between them is not possible. So, the actual sciences
associated with the brain cannot evolve to become positive science
anymore.
In psychology, for instance, about any scientist has his/her own list
of descriptive definition associated with the terms used by him/her. In
this way, it is not possible to make a logical structure to integrate
all the terms used in that field. So, the psychology, for instance, is
not a positive science.
Another example:
Let's consider a classical positive science, as Newton's Mechanics is.
In this symbolic model, all terms have exactly the same definition for
all the scientists. These definition are not changed since 340 years
ago when they were generated by the symbolic model of Mechanics. For
instance, the term "speed" is defined as v=s/t. That is, "speed" means
that the "space" is divided by "time". This definition is a normal
definition generated by the symbolic model of Mechanics not a
descriptive definition.
Let's suppose now that a symbolic model associated with the basic
hardware function of the brain is already created or it will be
created. The first consequence is that all the terms used in
association with the functions of the brain will be generated by the
model by logical and mathematical procedures, together with their
normal definitions. There is no reason to suppose that any descriptive
definition which is already used in the present sciences of the brain
will be compatible with the definitions generated by that symbolic
model.
So, all what is already created in the present sciences associated with
the brain has to be re-written or forgotten.
Regardless of the fact that MDT theory will be accepted or not, a
symbolic model which covers the basic hardware function of the brain
will produce this total revolution in all the sciences associated with
the brain, including psychology, psychiatry, gnoseology, epistemology,
many parts of social sciences and so on.
Let's consider that a symbolic model to cover the basic functions of
the brain is created and is already accepted. The persons who already
work in these fields have to re-start everything about from zero. Their
opposition will be enormous and I have no illusion in this direction.
This theory was created about 10 years ago. Based on my personal
experience, the theory is easily understood by persons with special
orientation on positive sciences, including children's over 12 years
old. Also, the persons who already work with symbolic models
(mathematicians, physicists, engineers and so on) have a high capacity
to understand it.
Let's see what MDT offers.
First of all, MDT treats the brain as a device which processes the
information. In this way, MDT has no direct connection with the
medicine.
MDT is concerning only with the basic functions associated with
information processing and it is not interested by problems as "what
part of the brain is doing something" or "how a function is
implemented". MDT is a theory associated with the processing of the
information and so it has no direct interference with the hardware
implementation of the physical brain.
As a symbolic model associated with the basic function of the brain,
it generates precise definition, based on logic, of all the terms used
in association with the basic hardware functions of the brain. In this
way, all the terms are logical correlated between them.
Examples: MDT generates normal definitions for: knowledge,
consciousness, to imagine, to think, intelligence, emotion, to be
irritate, love, happiness and many others. E.g. the "consciousness" is
the facility of a brain to make and operate a model which contains the
being itself as an element. MDT defines, than, 6 different types of
consciousness which are, of course, defined in the same precise way.
Even more, based on MDT, it is possible to design a logical structure
to implement the function called "consciousness".
MDT explains the basic functions of the brain up to the level to make a
logical design to synthesize all the brain's functions (human or
animal). Of course, a technological implementation of that functions is
not possible now because the computers, for example, have yet a very
low power to process the information and this situation will last, I
think, at least in the next 25 years.
In fact, the brain is treated by MDT as a technological product. So,
there are defined the main design goals and also, the main deficiencies
(by design or given by technological implementation).
There is analyzed the problem if, by evolution, it is possible or not
to evolve from animal brain to human brain.
There are analyzed the design and technological problems, including the
functional illnesses of the brains.
The theory treats also the paranormal phenomenon and suggest some
methods to develop such activities.
The Application section (ETAs) contains also many items as a history of
the evolution of the brain, the evaluation of the problems of
psychological tests and performance tests for a brain, some problems
associated with the present and future levels of evolution of the
brain, some long range problems associated with the development of the
human society (including the terrorism) and many others.
The basic elements of MDT occurs in 1993 and the first written form (on
WEB) in 1997. In 2003 a printed edition of the theory was published (in
Romanian language) by the Romanian Publishing House "Editura Albastra"
and in 2004, in the frame of Gutenberg Project, a new edition also in
Romanian. The process of developing is continuing.
Dorin T. MOISA
moisa@zappmobile.ro