Views of Hayek, Hebb, and Heisenberg: Toward an Approach to Brain Functioning

Abstract

Purpose – The conceptual ideas of Hebb, Heisenberg, and Feynman are embedded in the framework Hayek's so-called New Psychology. The present survey tries to bridge these concepts.

Methodology – A theoretical and empirical informed approach.

Findings – The theory of D. O. Hebb opened the way to “Neurobiology of Learning” in the past century. The S-Matrix theory of Werner Heisenberg and the so-called Feynman Diagrams that consider everything in the path-history of particles opened up new avenues to predict production of elementary particles. This as Hayek proposed or assumed in his theoretical monograph The Sensory Order.

Originality/value of paper – Besides Fuster and Edelman few (if any) currently practicing neuroscientists have any knowledge of or appreciation of Hayek's philosophical psychology.

Citation

Başar, E. (2011), "Views of Hayek, Hebb, and Heisenberg: Toward an Approach to Brain Functioning", Marsh, L. (Ed.) Hayek in Mind: Hayek's Philosophical Psychology (Advances in Austrian Economics, Vol. 15), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 13-25. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1529-2134(2011)0000015007