Decision-making, human cognition, and equanimity of mind

Background: Decision-making is one of the most puzzling issues in modern neuro-cognitive dynamics. It depends on how the brain behaves at that particular instance and identifies and responds to a signal among myriads of noises that are present in the surroundings (called external noise) as well as in the neurons themselves (called internal noise). The ability to predict the outcome of future events is, arguably, the most universal and significant of all global brain functions. The ability to anticipate the outcome of a given action depends on sensory stimuli from the outside world and previously learned experience and/or inherited instincts. So, there is a need to formulate a theory of inference using prior knowledge for decision-making and judgment, as well as, new empirical evidences.

Aims: The current paper aims to shed new light on decision-making and judgment with the help of states of mind like neutral mind and equanimity. The paper also aims at highlighting the scientific aspects of these states, which are conducive to proper decision making by an individual.

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Author was Professor Physics and Applied Mathematics Unit Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata. At present he is T.V.Raman Chair Visiting Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, IISC Campus, Bangalore. Hi main focus is on interdisciplinary research.

His current Research Interest: Foundations of Quantum Mechanics; Brain function Modeling and higher order cognitive activities, role of noise in the brain; Quantum Probability and Decision Making. Quantum Reality and Ancient Indian Wisdom.

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