If using algebraic equations; where letters represent emotions, can we predict or analyze character traits as well as likely reactions to various circumstances?
2007-02-28 08:38:53 · 16 answers · asked by samakhoan 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Alternative ➔ Other - Alternative
Up to now, the answer is "no". I believe that forever the answer will be "no".
2007-02-28 08:46:06 · answer #1 · answered by diamond 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You could map it generally, but because the mind absorbs data that is specific to its functions and time-consciousness (the mind of a 19th Century Londoner would be quite different from a 21st century cable installer) the variables would grow exponentially for every decision. John would always do A in situation X except for E, S, Da subset C, and R subset P.
We normally 'map' out our decisions anyway; the process by which we 'choose' to do something and not something else is based upon our preference for decisions. Imagine a brain survey where 10 is very likely and 1 is not very likely. Two people's brains would use the very same numbers but they would be placed differently within their cognitive functions; an artist would place more emphasis on 'feeling' (giving it a 9) and not logic (2) while a scientist would be more akin to emphasize logic (8 or 9) and not feeling (3 or 2).
What makes mapping the brain the most difficult is that at the moment of its creating/beginning, it is not in any sort of 'finished' state. Since new data and variables are being given it all the time, even ones that could remap previously oriented points of decision-making (the artist gets their heart broken and swears off art, or the scientist marries another scientist and they discover a rare gaseous nebula 300 lightyears away from earth), the instrument to map the brain would have to be updated as constantly as the brain itself with regards to the new data.
In other words, it takes a brain to map a brain.
2007-03-01 16:26:04 · answer #2 · answered by Khnopff71 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This is presuming at least 2 things:
1) That the human mind is deterministic, or "Newtonian", meaning that the state of the mind follows an exact and unique path given initial conditions and outside influences
2) That this "path of the mind" can be expressed in algebraic form, or at least in integral-differential form, again much like a physical system in classical mechanics.
1) is not likely to be true because even in classical dynamics, if there are enough variables involved, the behavior can be chaotic, without even appealing to the uncertainities of quantum physics. Read Henri Poincare's works on dynamical resonances, which was done over a century ago. The human mind is like the weather of the world. Forecasts can be made, but exact prediction is impossible.
2) The human mind doesn't even lend itself to an approximation of a manifold, which is at least necessary for any algebraic or integral-differential expression of behavior. It would be like trying to define the "behavior of a running computer" with algebraic or integral-differential equaiions, when it's so highly dependent on data structures. To take an example of what I mean, try to express everything I just now said with some kind of an equation.
However, that does not mean that the human mind is unanalyzable. It's just probably not analyzable in the manner that you suggested.
2007-02-28 17:10:15 · answer #3 · answered by Scythian1950 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes it is possible to predict character traits. Yes it is possible to analyze character traits. Yes to likely reactions to various circumstances. The Laws of Nature are constant.
2007-02-28 22:06:38 · answer #4 · answered by Washington 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Algebraic equations will not be sufficient, a fuzzy-logic system coupled with a neural network is needed to solve the problems. Algebraic equations assume all variables are well defined and parameterizable. In terms of the mind, it's operations are not.
Using this model, you can map a human mind mathematically, although I doubt a one-size-fits-all mind model will ever be developed (too complex).
2007-02-28 16:51:20 · answer #5 · answered by Pfo 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No. The human mind simply isn't known enough for its behavior to be entirely mapped, mathematically or otherwise.
For a source, see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind
The very fact that the page is somewhat messy, and still evolving, shows how much is unknown and uncertain about the mind.
2007-03-01 17:14:19 · answer #6 · answered by jcastro 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are describing a model more than a map. The functions you describe are probably diffuse over multiple discrete strutures and neural networks rather than hard geography of the brain.
2007-02-28 19:34:38 · answer #7 · answered by Jerry P 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, mathematics is universal and can definitely be applied to the human mind...the trick is to figure out the ' proof '....that is something that may not be done anytime soon.
2007-03-03 22:12:56 · answer #8 · answered by G.reaper 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The human brain its very complicated, until the world will progress the human brain has the most complicated neurological and mathematical joints.
2007-03-02 22:45:27 · answer #9 · answered by DROG H 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. You can't put that type of info into a calculator or any mathmatical equation.
2007-03-01 02:27:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
anything is possible with numbers,can you show an equation,
just to show how that thought might be?remember,to make or bring something to reality,it has to come to your conscious mind (as a glimpse),via the unconscious mind,that is a process in creativity
2007-02-28 23:55:49 · answer #11 · answered by Byzantino 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋