The Role of Brain Theory in the Emergence of New Philosophy of Mind

The mind of the individual, based in the functions of his/her brain and body, is the crucible for cultural and social advances in the evolution of mankind. Yet no brain/mind functions in isolation from all mankind. Each and every individual brain/mind is immersed in deep thrall with the context of prevailing social constraints and opportunities. The rapid growth of knowledge about the individual brain/mind in the past century has been fueled by technological and scientific advances but crucially by the cult of the individual. Now more recent advances in brain imaging in the context of the functions of mind have brought to light the previously opaque neurodynamics of social interactions. These studies of chaotic brain dynamics disclose the dialectic by which individuals act, react, and interact with embedding societies in creating new forms to meet new environmental demands and crises, to the end that the best in mankind might prevail.