Physiological Control

Abstract

This book is about assumptions, about our understanding of why we do what we do. It is an attempt to question some of our assumptions by introducing concepts from the discipline of physiology. For example, in this chapter we will question the degree to which human beings are capable of understanding and regulating their own behavior. It will be proposed that our ability to comprehend the reasons for many of our actions is limited by the realities of physiological design and regulation. This does not mean that we are ignorant of what we do, but it does suggest that there is much that goes on that we are unaware of and over which we have only partial control. The death of John Hunter is a case in point.