A recently published article in the Daily Telegraph entitled 'Angel' and 'devil' parts of the brain battle for supremacy by Richard Alleyne, stated that, "People have "angel" and "devil" parts of the brain that are in constant battle over their self control, a study has shown. Researchers discovered the different parts of the brain become active when they are tempted by unhealthy food.
The angel section leads a person to weigh abstract considerations such as "healthiness" against the basic desires of the devil part when craving rich food. The "angel" area is strong in individuals with good self control but less pronounced in the weak-willed."
Dr Antonio Rangel, from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), whose research appears in the journal Science, said: "A very basic question in economics, psychology, and even religion, is why some people can exercise self-control but others cannot. "
The angel section leads a person to weigh abstract considerations such as "healthiness" against the basic desires of the devil part when craving rich food. The "angel" area is strong in individuals with good self control but less pronounced in the weak-willed."
Dr Antonio Rangel, from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), whose research appears in the journal Science, said: "A very basic question in economics, psychology, and even religion, is why some people can exercise self-control but others cannot. "
The article continues to describe a study where, "Volunteers were then asked to make choices between their reference foods and other dishes, while their brain activity was scanned.
A pattern emerged which related to the "angel" and "devil" brain regions.
Participants with strong self control signals were able to balance health and taste in their minds and opt for healthier foods. Those whose "angels" did not speak loudly enough chose the tastier foods, regardless of nutritional value.
"After centuries of debate in social sciences we are finally making big strides in understanding self-control from watching the brain resist temptation directly," said co-author Professor Colin Camerer, also from Caltech. "This study, and many more to come, will eventually lead to much better theories about how self-control develops and how it works for different kinds of temptations." To read full article, click here.
A pattern emerged which related to the "angel" and "devil" brain regions.
Participants with strong self control signals were able to balance health and taste in their minds and opt for healthier foods. Those whose "angels" did not speak loudly enough chose the tastier foods, regardless of nutritional value.
"After centuries of debate in social sciences we are finally making big strides in understanding self-control from watching the brain resist temptation directly," said co-author Professor Colin Camerer, also from Caltech. "This study, and many more to come, will eventually lead to much better theories about how self-control develops and how it works for different kinds of temptations." To read full article, click here.
Concerning the above article, Chai today magazine ran a headline, "Science discovers the truth of the Torah".
Chai today continues, "They excitedly announced a new scientific discovery which the Torah taught us thousands of years ago."
The article goes on to quote from the writings of Rabbo Chayim Vital in Shaar Hakedushah.
..."every Jew, whether righteous or wicked, possesses two souls and life-forces.
One soul...from which stems all the evil characteristics deriving from the four evil elements within it.... namely:anger and pride...the appetite for pleasures....scoffing, boasting and idle talk, and sloth and melancholy...
And the second Jewish soul is truly "a part of G-d above."
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