25.03.2015The Evolution of the Brain – Or: What do Neurosciences and Star Wars have in common?

Dr. Martin Pyka, Mercator Research Group “Structure of Memory”, Faculty of Psychology

The human brain is possibly the most complex organ evolution has produced. But which paths and detours led to its development? How strongly does it differ from other mammalian brains? After a short introduction to the comparative analysis of neural networks, we will look at the often surprising mechanisms by which life-forms and their central nervous systems change from generation to generation. We will find out that nature’s way of problem-solving differs fundamentally from our own methods of finding solutions. It is all the more fascinating to find the many parallels between the evolution of the brain on the one hand and the development of culture and science on the other.