Philosophy Discussion Forums | A Humans-Only Club for Open-Minded Discussion & Debate

[Kevinandrew]

Does anyone know anything about how memories are stored?
Presumably, they are stored within brain cells? But are there sub-structures within brain cells where they are stored? I would love to hear from anyone that knows anything about this subject.

[Keen]

Too complicated subject. As far as I know not even neurologists know how exactly memory works. I have only heard that experiments suggest there is no specific location in brain where memory is stored. If I understand what I've read once, memory lies in connections between neurons. More often a connection is used the better you remember a particular thing, but some of these connections atrophy, so you forget stuff, but as I said it's very complicated.

[A Poster He or I]

From what I've read of neuroscience and 2nd generation cognitive science, the available evidence suggests that memories are stored holographically or at least there is a holographic component to memory. In other words, memories are non-local.

Also, don't be too sure about memories being stored in brain cells. The holographic theories of neuroscientist Ken Pribam make for fascinating consideration: he posits that memories do not exist in the brain at all; the brain is primarily an energy-focuser to reify memories from the background hologram.

[PaulNZ]

There are different kinds of memories I think. You have scripts which you run automatically to cover routines such as driving, your drive to work, how to make a coffee, the way you wash yourself in the showers etc. You know how to do this stuff and don't have to think about it.

I have a vague recollection that one is episodic memory and another is semantic memory. Hang on I'll Wiki it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episodic_memory

There. That explains it better than I ever could!

So episodic/semantic make up declarative memory and the other is procedural memory. So I was close (ish)

[Chutzpah]

If i can add further to this question...
It has been established that every atom of the human body is replaced in seven years. so i wonder how the memory is transferred to new neurons/cells(whatever i don't know) or how data is transferred to be stored. Can it be an argument against non dualism?

[Kevinandrew]

Also, don't be too sure about memories being stored in brain cells. The holographic theories of neuroscientist Ken Pribam make for fascinating consideration: he posits that memories do not exist in the brain at all; the brain is primarily an energy-focuser to reify memories from the background hologram.

This is interesting. I will find some of Ken Pribam's work and explore. If not in the brain, does he suggest some other place they might be stored?

[A Poster He or I]

Kevinandrew,

A quick intro to Pribam's work can be found in the popular science book "The Holographic Universe" by Michael Talbot. It is a well-regarded book, easy and engaging to read, and I am confident that at least a few forum members have read it and could discuss it. It has lots of philosophical ramifications, especially for metaphysics and epistemology.

However, the book quickly leaves Pribam behind and instead focuses on the holographic theories of physicist David Bohm whose theories were more comprehensive than Pribam, and are derived from quantum mechanics.

Also, the book is becoming somwhat dated in that it doesn't discuss more contemporary holographic theories such as Leonard Susskind's, derived from black-hole thermodynamics.

[Xris]

I have heard that our organs may be used as storage. Transplant recipients have reported recalling images of events they should not have. It may have been another unsubstantiated claim we are constantly bombarded with.