Abstract
In the view of cybernetics the brain is an appropriately structured nervous net for the processing of signals; understanding the brain is identical with knowing the connection pattern and its function. The corresponding view in computer science identifies artificial intelligence with appropriate programs, executed on the computer. Computer chess, artificial speech production and pattern recognition testify to the success of the approach. In both cases, brain and computer, the process of organization responsible for the genesis of connection pattern or program is considered as an independent issue. It is in the style of cybernetics to assume that the genome of the individual contains a blueprint for the wiring of its nervous system, and that during ontogenesis this information is simply translated from one form into another. Thus, phylogeny can freely program nervous connectivity to its requirements.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
R.M. Gaze, (1978): “The problem of specificity in the formation of nerve connections.” In: Specificity of Embryological Interactions (D. Garrod, ed.), Chapman and Halt, London.
D.J. Willshaw and C. von der Malsburg (1976): “How patterned neural connections can be set up by self-organization.” Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B. 194, 431–445
A.F. Häussler and C. von der Malsburg (1983): “Development of Retinotopic Projections — An Analytical Treatment.” J. Theor. Neurobiol. (in press).
M. Eigen (1971): “Selforganization of Matter and the Evolution of Biological Macromolecules” Naturwissenschaften 58, 465–523
E. Bienenstock (1983): “Cooperation and Competition in the Central Nervous System: A Unifying Approach.” This conference.
von der Malsburg, C. (1981): “The Correlation Theory of Brain Function.” Internal Report 81–2, Dept. of Neurobiology, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, D-3400 Göttingen, W.-Germany.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1983 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
von der Malsburg, C. (1983). How are Nervous Structures Organized?. In: BaĹźar, E., Flohr, H., Haken, H., Mandell, A.J. (eds) Synergetics of the Brain. Springer Series in Synergetics, vol 23. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69421-9_19
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69421-9_19
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-69423-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-69421-9
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive