Prelude
a b c d e f g
Contents
i ii iii iv
Dieu et mon droit
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 Tat Tvam Asi
7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
2 Mechanics of Evolution
9 40 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 50 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 60 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 70 1 2
3 Environment
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 80 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 90 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 100 1 2
4 Physiology of the Individual
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 110 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 120 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 130 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 140
5 Fabric of Society
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 150 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 160 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 170 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 180 1 2 3 4 5 6
6 The Shrine of Content
7 8 9 190 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 200 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 210 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 In His Own Image
7 8 9 220 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 230 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 240 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
8 In Search of Enlightenment
9 250 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 260 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 270 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 280 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 290 1 2
9 Mutation
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 300 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 310 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 320 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 330 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 340
10 Power of Prayer
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 350 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 360 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 370 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 380
11 Revelation
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 390 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 400 1 2 3 4
Bibliograpy
5 6 7 8 9 410 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 420
Index
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 430 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 440 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 450 1 2 3 4 5 6

Emerging in the far distant past as collections of endoskeleton based creatures, the vertebrates share the common characteristic of a central spine that connects the head to the tail and through which passes a central nerve that facilitates the sensori-motor faculties of the individual. Vertebrate species show a propensity for four appendages, some well developed while some are vestigial in nature. On many species, the appendages are equipped with separated phalangeal extensions; for humans, hands with fingers and feet with toes. For a whale or dolphin, the appendages become fins and flukes. For lions and tigers and bears, they become paws with claws.

The central nerve is attached to an enlarged mass of nervous tissue referred to as the brain stem. Through a series of evolutionary stages, this central nerve, terminating in the brain stem and associated with ever more sophisticated structural components, emerged as a relatively enhanced control center for the external sensori-motor system of the individual, and the internal autonomic system regulating internal organs. Particularly in the case of hominid species, this evolution associated with a series of more sophisticated brains. As a systems advance over earlier species, one of the more innovative characteristics of vertebrates was likely the development of a fine grained sensori-motor system. One can at least make this argument by noting the progression, and particularly the specialization, of the sensori-motor system through the incremental development of the various vertebrate species. Consider the five senses that we humans are familiar with: sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. Each of these sensory systems can be found in other vertebrate species and the characteristics of each sense have evolved at differing rates and to different levels of capability. The hominids, with their connection of sophisticated sensori-motor facilities to the enhanced command and control capabilities of their more powerful brains offered up a superior combination.

The timetable of the evolutionary progression of hominids is still in a state of some disagreement, but their emergence from their precursor species occurred perhaps as early as six or seven million years ago. Since that time, the species has continued to evolve. While fossil records indicate some change in the physical stature of people over that period, the evidence of the greatest change has been in the record of human achievements, in the enhancement of the products of the human mind. This growth is attributed to the development of both size and mental capabilities of the brain, resulting in a tremendous improvement in the cognitive functions of mind. We would like to consider this development of the mind in an attempt to relate the resulting concepts to the facilities of computer systems and computer networks. We will base our consideration on the formative work of three pioneers in the structure, organization and operational development of the human mind: Paul MacLean (The Triune Brain in Evolution), Merlin Donald (Origins of the Modern Mind) and Jean Piaget (The Psychology of Intelligence).

The Mind from Antiquity