1. Lars Taxén Linköping University
Activity Modalities – A Unitary Conceptualization of Brain and Environment
Lars Taxén
Linköping University

2. My background Methods, processes, IT, Information systems
project management
34 yrs
15 yrs
Researching the coordination of complex development tasks, PhD (2003), Associate professor (2007)
10 yrs
Consulting
Layman in neurosciences
… en blandning av mina verksamheter,

3. The telecom network

4. Coordinating and integrating a telecom project

5. Research interest
… långa utredningar, remissvar, mm känner säkert igen er
Which are our neural predisposition enabling the coordination and integration of activities?

6. Point of departure
[The] internal functional space that is made up of neurons must represent the properties of the external world – it must somehow be homomorphic with it
(Llinás, 2001)

7. INTERNAL REALM EXTERNAL REALM homomorphism other humans social reality
Human brain and body
artefacts
social reality
other humans
vision
hearing
taste
smell
touch
homomorphism

8. “External” sciences INTERNAL REALM EXTERNAL REALM homomorphism
Human brain and body
artefacts
social reality
other humans
vision
hearing
taste
smell
touch
homomorphism

9. “Internal” sciences INTERNAL REALM EXTERNAL REALM homomorphism
Human brain and body
artefacts
social reality
other humans
vision
hearing
taste
smell
touch
homomorphism

10. Knudsen, 2007

11. Knudsen, 2007

12. Activity Modalities - neural predispositions for coordinating and integrating actions

13. Coordinative universals -
- objectivation
- contextualization
- stabilization
- spatialization
- temporalization
- transition
Coordinative universals -
Activity Modalities
Focus on the target
Frame a context of relevance
Orient herself in space
Conceive of actions leading to the goal
Adhere to norms
Latent capabilities that every healthy human is endowed with at birth
Change focus

14. INTERNAL REALM EXTERNAL REALM Activity Modalities other humans
Human brain and body
artefacts
social reality
other humans
vision
hearing
taste
smell
touch
Activity
Modalities

15. Activity Modalities - the internal realm

16. Motor
Premotor

17. Motor
Premotor
If there is a brain lesion in a specific part, the modalities are disabled, e.g. transition and superior colliculus

18. Summary

19. The most important issue in brain research today is that of the internalization or embedding of the universals of the external world into an internal functional space
(Llinás, 2001, p. 64)

20. Points for reflection
Activity Modalities definitely of interest in the external realm
What about the internal realm?
Neural correlates of the Activity Modalities?
Already solved?
Different names?
A way to advance neuroscience?
If so, let’s continue the discussion!

21. Thank you!
Questions?