The brain’s plasticity would scatter the mind without a self to unify its networks

Evidence

Thus an awareness of synaptic plasticity leads scientists to advance the thesis of a neuronal personality. The ‘‘self’’ is a synthesis of all the plastic processes at work in the brain; this permits us to hold together and unify the cartography of networks already mentioned. ‘‘The fact that plasticity does occur in so many brain systems,’’ we read in Synaptic Self, ‘‘raises … interesting questions. How does a person with a coherent personality—a fairly stable set of thoughts, emotions, and motivations—ever emerge? Why don’t the systems learn different things and pull our thoughts, emotions, and motivations in different directions? What makes them work together, rather than as an unruly mob?’’ It is the ‘‘self,’’ incontestably, that allows for this grouping and linking. — Catherine Malabou, What Should We Do with Our Brain?, 191