| Popis: |
This chapter discusses the basic neural mechanisms that enable action execution in humans. Using a reverse-engineering approach, the chapter starts from the phenomenon to be explained, namely, a muscle contraction, and traces its causation back to proximal neural causes in the primary motor cortex. It then searches for the causes triggering those neurons to send a motor command. One theory postulates two main pathways linking higher-order association areas to the motor cortex: a lateral and a medial one. These pathways are primarily responsible for initiating movements that are either triggered by an external stimulus or are endogenously initiated, respectively. The chapter further considers whether the concept of endogenous initiation provides a satisfactory account of the intentional nature of human actions. |
