Cognitive Science

This study delves into the concept of consciousness in the Qur'an, comparing it with cognitive science. While cognitive science views consciousness as a function of the brain, the Qur'an employs various terms such as soul (al-<em>nafs</em>), heart (<em>al-qalb</em>, <em>al-ṣadr</em> and <em>al-af</em><em>ʾidah</em>), hearing (<em>al-samʿ</em>), sight (<em>al-baṣar</em>), etc. to describe tools of consciousness. In order to explore the Qur'anic perspective on consciousness and its compatibility with cognitive science, an in-depth analysis of relevant areas pertaining to human consciousness, as well as the capacities of the heart and brain, is essential. Employing an analytical-comparative method with an extra-religious perspective, we extract cognitive terminology associated with consciousness from the Qur'an. By employing graph-based tools to create and analyze a conceptual map of these terms, we find that soul, heart, hearing, and sight emerge as crucial tools for generating consciousness. Of these, the Qur'an highlights the human soul as the primary tool for acquiring and processing consciousness, distinct from the spirit (<em>al-rūḥ</em>). This soul is balanced in such a way that it can collaborate with the body and brain of the human to achieve consciousness.

Recent advancements in neurophysiological recording technologies have led to significant complexities in managing large-scale neural data, creating potential bottlenecks in the storage, sharing, and processing within the neuroscience community. To address these challenges, we developed the Big Neuronal Data Framework (BNDF), a distributed high-performance computing (HPC) solution. BNDF leverages open-source big data frameworks, Hadoop and Spark, to offer a flexible and scalable architecture. We tested BNDF on three large-scale electrophysiological datasets from nonhuman primate brains, demonstrating improved runtimes and scalability due to its distributed design. In comparative analyses against MATLAB, a widely used platform, BNDF showcased over five times faster performance in spike sorting, a common task in neuroscience. This significant speed advantage highlights BNDF’s potential to enhance the efficiency of neural data processing and analysis, making it a valuable tool for researchers navigating the complexities of modern neural datasets. Overall, BNDF represents a promising approach to streamline the handling of extensive neural data in the field of neuroscience.

Aim: This article explores the cognitive operations of the mind, examining components such as basic cognitive systems, cognitive distortion, thinking, memory, perception, feelings, and emotions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these elements interact and their roles in information processing. Method: By analyzing each cognitive component, we aim to clarify the complex mechanisms of human thought and behavior. Our conscious experience evolves alongside the development of cognitive faculties, and as these faculties improve, our capacity for rational thought and conscious awareness increases. Finding: This study investigates the processes involved in the formation of logical patterns in the human mind, as well as the mechanisms underlying the emergence of cognitive distortion. Results: Cognitive distortion can significantly impact our perceptions and judgments, leading to inaccurate decisions. Recognizing and understanding these cognitive biases such as the availability heuristic, anchoring effect, and self-serving bias are crucial for enhancing critical thinking and decision-making skills. By fostering a greater awareness of our cognitive limitations, we can strive for more objective analyses in our interactions with the world, ultimately improving both our personal and collective decision-making outcomes. Conclusion: Conscious experience is essential for enhancing logical abilities by shaping cognitive processes through sensory input and interactions. It enriches reasoning with creativity and empathy, allowing our understanding of the mind to evolve as we gather new information.