Function, consciousness, and self-awareness in contemporary neuroscience and philosophy
(Part II)
In the first part of this inquiry, the scientific and conceptual foundations for understanding the human brain were established: its neural organization, evolutionary development, and the fundamental question of consciousness as either an emergent phenomenon or a property with distinct ontological significance. Part II shifts the focus from structure to function, and from description to the dynamic processes of human cognition.
The analysis concentrates on the mechanisms through which the brain generates perception, memory, emotion, and decision-making, approaching consciousness not as a static entity but as a continuously evolving process. Particular emphasis is placed on neural plasticity, identified as a key factor in learning as well as in the formation of personal identity.
At the same time, Part II addresses the relationship between the human brain and artificial intelligence within a rigorous analytical framework. The comparison is not framed as technological competition, but as a means of clarifying the limits of human thought, creativity, and moral judgment. The human brain is thus understood not merely as a biological computing system, but as the substrate of self-awareness, responsibility, and freedom.
Part II completes the transition from neurobiology to the philosophy of mind, emphasizing that understanding the brain is a necessary condition for understanding the human being in the contemporary and future world.
Conclusion
This two-part approach to the human brain has traced a progression from structural description to functional and conceptual understanding of human cognition. Through the synthesis of neuroscientific evidence and philosophical reflection, the brain is approached not merely as a biological mechanism, but as the foundation of consciousness, self-awareness, and moral responsibility. Its study therefore constitutes not only a scientific endeavor, but a necessary condition for a deeper understanding of the human being, of human limits and possibilities, in a world where artificial intelligence increasingly reshapes our relationship with knowledge and the self.