Alexander Belyaev. The Lord of the world (№ 242608)

Reflex is the transmission of nerve excitation from one point of the body to another through the center of the brain. Any impact from outside, through the senses, by reflex through the center, causing the activities of certain organs of the body, in other words, causes a reaction. The child holds out his hand to the fire. The fire is burning. This is the impact of fire on the skin is transmitted by nerves to the brain and from the brain goes to the arm response: the child pulls his hand. The idea of fire is associated in the child with a view pain. And whenever the child sees the fire, he begins timidly draw back his hand. Get what we call, in science, a conditioned reflex... here is a more complex example. You give a dog is, and at the same time, every time she eats, playing the flute. Lunch with the music. While eating the dog's abundant saliva is separated. After some time when playing the flute closely associated in the minds of a dog with taste, you will pretty tune on his flute, the dog will strenuously to salivate. Reflex!.. And to think that the "saints" of human feelings, as duty, loyalty, responsibility, honesty and even the famous Kantian "categorical imperative", are conditional reflexes absolutely the same manner as the selection of dog saliva! The process of creating such reflexes are more complicated, but the essence is the same.