Neurognosis
Encyclopedia
Neurognosis is a technical term used in biogenetic structuralism
to refer to the initial organization of the experiencing and cognizing brain.
All neurophysiological models
comprising an individual’s cognized environment
develop from these nascent models which exist as the initial, genetically determined neural structures already producing the experience of the fetus
and infant
. These nascent models are referred to as neurognostic structures, neurognostic models, or simply neurognosis.
When theorists wish to emphasize the neurognostic structures themselves, they may be referred to as structures (in the structuralist
sense) or models. The neurognostic structures correspond somewhat to Carl Jung
's archetype
s. Jung's reference to the essential unknowability of the archetypes-in-themselves also applies to neurognostic structures in biogenetic structural formulations.
Neurognosis may also refer to the functioning of these neural structures in producing either experience or some other activity unconscious to the individual. This usage is similar to Jung's reference to archetypal imagery, ideas, and activities that emerge into and are active in consciousness.
The distinction between neurognostic structures and neurognosis is simply one between structure
and function
-- for example, between the anatomy of the hand and grasping by that hand.
Biogenetic structuralism
Biogenetic structuralism is a body of theory in anthropology. The perspective grounds discussions of learning, culture, personality and social action in neuroscience. The original book of that title represented an interdisciplinary merger of anthropology, psychology and the neurosciences...
to refer to the initial organization of the experiencing and cognizing brain.
All neurophysiological models
Mental model
A mental model is an explanation of someone's thought process about how something works in the real world. It is a representation of the surrounding world, the relationships between its various parts and a person's intuitive perception about his or her own acts and their consequences...
comprising an individual’s cognized environment
Cognized environment
Cognized environment is a concept first introduced by the late anthropologist, Roy Rappaport , in contrast to what he called the operational environment . Rappaport was an ecological anthropologist, like Andrew P...
develop from these nascent models which exist as the initial, genetically determined neural structures already producing the experience of the fetus
Fetus
A fetus is a developing mammal or other viviparous vertebrate after the embryonic stage and before birth.In humans, the fetal stage of prenatal development starts at the beginning of the 11th week in gestational age, which is the 9th week after fertilization.-Etymology and spelling variations:The...
and infant
Infant
A newborn or baby is the very young offspring of a human or other mammal. A newborn is an infant who is within hours, days, or up to a few weeks from birth. In medical contexts, newborn or neonate refers to an infant in the first 28 days after birth...
. These nascent models are referred to as neurognostic structures, neurognostic models, or simply neurognosis.
When theorists wish to emphasize the neurognostic structures themselves, they may be referred to as structures (in the structuralist
Structuralism
Structuralism originated in the structural linguistics of Ferdinand de Saussure and the subsequent Prague and Moscow schools of linguistics. Just as structural linguistics was facing serious challenges from the likes of Noam Chomsky and thus fading in importance in linguistics, structuralism...
sense) or models. The neurognostic structures correspond somewhat to Carl Jung
Carl Jung
Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist and the founder of Analytical Psychology. Jung is considered the first modern psychiatrist to view the human psyche as "by nature religious" and make it the focus of exploration. Jung is one of the best known researchers in the field of dream analysis and...
's archetype
Archetype
An archetype is a universally understood symbol or term or pattern of behavior, a prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated...
s. Jung's reference to the essential unknowability of the archetypes-in-themselves also applies to neurognostic structures in biogenetic structural formulations.
Neurognosis may also refer to the functioning of these neural structures in producing either experience or some other activity unconscious to the individual. This usage is similar to Jung's reference to archetypal imagery, ideas, and activities that emerge into and are active in consciousness.
The distinction between neurognostic structures and neurognosis is simply one between structure
Structure
Structure is a fundamental, tangible or intangible notion referring to the recognition, observation, nature, and permanence of patterns and relationships of entities. This notion may itself be an object, such as a built structure, or an attribute, such as the structure of society...
and function
Function (engineering)
In engineering, a function is interpreted as a specific process, action or task that a system is able to perform .-In engineering design:In the lifecycle of engineering projects, there are usually distinguished subsequently: Requirements and Functional specification documents. The Requirements...
-- for example, between the anatomy of the hand and grasping by that hand.