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Part II: EGBChapter 11
Brains and Thoughts
Neurons, synapses, and the emergence of symbols.
How does a wet, biological organ produce abstract thoughts? We look at the physical structure of the brain—neurons, axons, dendrites—and how they form networks. Hofstadter suggests that groups of neurons form 'Symbols' (not to be confused with mathematical symbols) that represent concepts like 'Dog' or 'Democracy'. The interaction of these neural symbols is what we experience as thinking.
Neural Network Simulation
Click neurons to stimulate them. Watch the signal propagate. Symbols emerge from the firing patterns of meaningless neurons.