The Complexity of Human Thought

by Robert Leve

Overview

This book provides an innovative interdisciplinary approach to understanding the principles of human thinking and offers techniques concerning the solution of abstract problems and predictions based on those principles. Utilizing the concepts of complexity science, the book explains the emergence and structural elements of cognitive models underlying such diverse human behaviors as abstract thought, kindness, and selfishness. Such cognitive models allow humans to react to their present environments and make accurate and useful predictions of their futures. Those who might find this book of interest are primarily academics or professionals interested in a unique and interdisciplinary approach to cognition based on complexity science. The book may also be utilized as a supplemental class text in programs on complexity science, life science, and cognition.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783031091063
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	08/30/2022
Edition description:	1st ed. 2022
Pages:	213
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Robert Leve received his masters and doctorate degrees from the University of Maryland, specializing in child clinical psychology and clinical research. He did his postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University Medical School and the Children’s Hospital, Boston. He is the author of two books, Childhood: The Study of Development and Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy: Process and Integration. His research, published in Complexity, applies the concepts of complexity science to human cognition. This interdisciplinary approach explains the methods used to solve complex abstract problems and difficulties in human prediction. Dr. Leve has applied his research to understanding the cognitive models underlying the basic human traits of kindness and selfishness and explaining the reprehensible thinking of genocides.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Origins of Complexity

Is an introductory chapter which introduces the reader to the purpose of human thinking and how the concepts of complexity science establish order and predictability in an everchanging complex human environment.

Chapter 2 Diversity and Complexity

Illustrates how as diversity in our universe increased over time, it created complexity and ultimately the organization and complex neurology of the human brain. Through interactions with the energy inputs of the exterior environment, cognition, a complex adaptive system, organized and formed the representations of the exterior environment necessary for human functioning and survival.

Chapter 3 Cognitive Models

Discusses how cognitive models emerge to form the internal representations which coordinate the release of energy congruent with demands of our exterior environment. These cognitive models organize the many and ever changing parts of that environment to prevent an overload of environmental variables and cognitive chaos.

Chapter 4 How Cognitive Models Form

Illustrates how cognitive models form naturally and unconsciously by association. Such associations are like complexity attractors in that relevant associations are maintained whereas nonfunctional associations are discarded. Cognitive models are constantly changing over time as the exterior environment changes and this naturally occurring process is illustrated through examples.

Chapter 5 Human Development and Cognitive Models

Traces the development from the limited cognitive models of infancy to the mature models of adults. It details the discrete cognitive processes through which overload and confusion slowly evolve into stable and intellectually abstract cognitive models.

Chapter 6 The Structure of Complex Cognitive Models

Demonstrates the flexibility of human thinking through the use of predictive cognitive models. Such models allow learning without actual exposure or contact with the exterior environment and follow a Stimulus—Prediction—Response— Consequence form of learning which includes a sophisticated understanding of time. Errors in this type of predictive cognitive model are demonstrated by Propagation of Uncertainty Equations.

Chapter 7 Complexity Principles and Human Thought

The basic principles of complexity science describe the creation of rules that emerge to organize and simplify cognitive models. This chapter presents examples of how self-organization allows for abstract and interconnected thinking without such thinking falling into chaos and confusion.

Chapter 8 Constructing Cognitive Stability

Describes how two principles inherent in our universe allow for the development of cognitive networks. The P concept maintains stability in human thinking and the K concept allows for cognitive change without degenerating into a chaotic state. This chapter also discusses cognitive networks, how cognitive nodes emerge, and how new cognitive variables are integrated into existing cognitive models.

Chapter 9 Interactions and Cognitive Models

Analyzes the different ways in which multiple variables connect and interact with one another to create cognitive models that represent our cognitive environment. The chapter contains diagrams to illustrate this process and examples of the Chinese and Western history of bridge building are included

Chapter 10 Overload, Confusion, and Chaos

Discusses the concept and definition of cognitive chaos and how this occurs. Humans are inherently programmed to avoid chaos and the methods used to avoid chaos by controlling the rate and number of interactions between cognitive variables are discussed.

Chapter 11 Correlation, Canalization, and Cognitive Models

Using the examples of simple and canonical correlation this chapter demonstrates how cognitive variables accrete to form a stable cognitive model that provides a control on overloaded and chaotic thinking. The concept of canalization is introduced to demonstrate how models of thinking become fossilized and resistant to change.

Chapter 12 Creativity and Complex Scientific Models

Using the historical development of human flight by the Wright brothers, Otto Lilienthal, and Octave Chanute, as an example, this chapter demonstrates the cognitive reductive principles used in the creative solution of abstract complex problems. Techniques such as identifying identities, sequencing, eliminating interconnections, and understanding the salience of variables, are explained. This chapter has been recognized as having significant pragmatic importance for the solution of complex scientific problems.

Chapter 13 Understanding Genocides

Explains the power and influence of clan identity creating erroneous cognitive models that can result in genocides and irrational self-destruction. The emergence of seemingly small errors in interconnections between cognitive variables will produce erroneous cognitive models that self-perpetuate due to the accretion of other errors through flawed interconnections.

Chapter 14 The Cognitive Models of Genocide

Illustrates how humans can generate rational explanations and justifications for the most reprehensible behaviors. Unfortunately, many of the same principles in the formation of sound scientific concepts can be misapplied to create cognitive models that support a distorted and erroneous view of the exterior environment. Examples are presented showing the developmental sequence of Nazi genocidal cognitive models.

Chapter 15 The Complexity of Kindness and Selfishness

Organized in three sections, this chapter demonstrates the developmental origins of kindness and selfishness and how these develop into constantly changing cognitive models. Examples illustrate the simplicity of kindness models and the complexity of selfishness models. The effects of clan identities are discussed as are the inevitable effects of self-organization on social cognitive models

Chapter 16 The Interconnected Models of Kindness and Selfishness

Illustrates the complex interconnection of models of kindness and selfishness and how these are constantly changing. The historical development of money as an emergent phenomenon is discussed as is its profound effect on the interconnections between kindness and selfishness in terms of resource inadequacy.

Chapter 17 Rational Human Thought

Demonstrates the process of how rational and valid cognitive models are created. This chapter also illustrates the errors that distort human thinking such as the complexity of human ignorance and the complexity of negating environmental information. Specific examples from medical discoveries and military history are included. The relationship between increasing environmental complexity and increasing differences in human thinking is discussed.

Chapter 18 Predicting the Future

Describes the process by which humans can accurately predict our futures. This is an essential human skill and requires a sound understanding of the interconnection between the concepts of past, present, and future. Future cognitive models are human creations that do not exist in reality and are very sensitive to errors. This situation is presented in a graph showing the percent of errors based on time, rate of environmental change, and number of relevant variables. The difficulty of predicting medical diagnoses and outcomes is included as an example.