A sold-out crowd and great interest awaited the international renowned knowledge of the functioning of the cerebral cortex at the next event of the ELTE Alumni Center series. At the first lecture of the 2018/19 academic year, the participants were welcomed by Csilla Pataky, head of the center. The speaker was praised by Péter Szalay, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs at ELTE. In his speech, he reviewed the career and publications of Tamás Freund.
Subsequently, the evening's guest, Tamás Freund, took the floor. In the first half of his presentation, he talked about how his career started and the universities he studied at. He spent one year at the József Attila University and then continued his studies at the Eötvös Loránd University, where he obtained his degree. With the dean's permission, during his university years, he also studied in Oxford. Among other things, thanks to the research work he did there, in 1984, one year after obtaining his degree, he defended his doctoral dissertation.
The neuroscientist studies the pinnacle of material evolution, the brain. Our organ through which our soul manifests itself to the material world.
(Tamás Freund)
At Oxford University, following in the footsteps of Frencis Crick, he began studying parts of the nervous system responsible for memory. Crick and the research conducted at Oxford gave him lifelong motivation. His research area focuses on the connections of nerve cells and their influence on memory and the significance of the inner world in our lives. He stated that our emotions influence the functioning of memory, which forms the basis of our recollection. An intense emotional environment is essential for learning, remembering, and developing creativity. In this context, he highlighted the damaging effects of various addictions. Most addictions have a focal point in that they release large amounts of dopamine in the brain, which creates a sense of happiness and satisfaction in the individual. However, due to the impact of strong doses, the brain is no longer able to respond to normal levels of dopamine. The danger of internet addiction, in contrast, lies in the information explosion, which results in too much emotionally detached, unretrievable data being stored in our brains, making further learning more difficult.
As a result, undermotivation develops, which can lead to further addictions. All of these weaken the individual's inner world, who may end up in a state of emotional barrenness. Consequently, some areas of the cerebral cortex weaken, while others, such as the parts responsible for automatisms in the case of internet addiction, are strengthened. Hence, it is important to cultivate the mind, build the inner world, and regularly achieve the feeling of catharsis to keep our minds productive. Besides the significance of maintaining moral and ethical values and traditions, he pointed out that catharsis should be achieved not as a passive observer but as an active participant, preferably as part of a team—whether it be visual arts, sports, music, or theater. He mentioned as an example that, for him, music provides this catharsis, with playing music together, where he is not just a passive enjoyer but an active participant.
Among others, the event was attended by Péter Szalay, Vice-Rector for General Affairs, László Zentai, Vice-Rector for Educational and Academic Affairs; Ferenc Hudecz, former Rector of Eötvös Loránd University and patron of the series, Erik Bogsch, board member, Ferenc Glatz, former president of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and his wife, Zsigmond Ritoók academician, József Béres, President of Béres Pharmaceuticals, and his wife, Gábor Bojár, founder of Graphisoft CAD software company, Miklós Persányi, director general of the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, and his wife - almost all of them ELTE graduates.
The lecture can be listened to on the ELTE YouTube channel!
Thanks for the participation to ELTE Online, who not only provided pictures but also prepared a detailed report about the event.
The ELTE Success lecture series continues: on November 21, 2018, Márta Winkler, an educator, will be our guest.
Event Overview
Series Overview
* The success of the event organized by the Foundation of ELTE Alumni was contributed by: the National Cooperation Fund.
