Quote Originally Posted by SoCo KungFu View Post
I don't think we know enough about memory or consciousness to determine where each intersects into a concept such as "free will." Other than to say, this issue can probably be dealt with without invoking either. In the very post above, RDH eliminates the point he previously brought up, because in this way of defining the context of free will, it is not a thing at all, but an illusion of a thing.

On the matter of subconscious processing and memory. This is where we have to become more specific in our wording. Its unfortunate that TGY isn't around, because he would be the one most able to weigh in here. Particularly on autonomic vs somatic neural functioning. However, on the point of behavioral conditioning. Behavioral conditioning is not equivalent to memory. Learned memory (which is a bit redundant in wording) is merely one point of behavioral conditioning. A great deal of our behavior is predetermined before we ever begin gathering knowledge. This is by way of our genetics and epigenetics. For example, sociopathy depending on the physiological cause, can dictate both our memory (by limiting our experienced stimuli; such as in the case of empathy and oxytocin receptor polymorphism) and our behavior both based and not based on said memory [in other words, not only will they not empathize and behave accordingly due to learned feelings of hurt/joy/whatever but they will also not empathize instinctually (whatever the hell "instinct" actually is neurologically, or rather what things it is comprised of, since its a combination of multiple primitive neurochemical processes)]. This is of course dependent on there being an evolutionary basis for empathy in our genes. I believe there is enough evidence to suggest there is and it is not limited to humans. Epigenetically, we see enough with rodent parental care studies to illustrate how this can impact lifelong behavior such as social activity, mating, parental care, cooperation, etc. Of course, again, this is dependent upon one accepting that these chemical pathways are evolutionarily conserved up through to us humans. And again, at this point it is becoming borderline ludicrous to argue otherwise, I feel.
How does neurobiology explain such intangible things as arrogance and a need to build up one's self esteem by insulting others, and by pedantically quibbling over words?