HUMAN THINKING HUB-HEART OR BRAIN: EXPLORING THE RELIGIOUS AND SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

                        The heart and brain are the two most important organs of the human body. Today, it is a well-known fact that the heart’s main function is to supply blood throughout the body, while similarly, the brain controls all the functions of the body. In the past, scientists, philosophers, and religious scholars were divided on this subject. Some of them were of the view that the heart is the hub of thinking, while others argued that it is the brain or mind which controls the thinking aspects. In this regard, ancient religious texts of Abrahamic religions, including Torah, Bible, and Quran inform us about the importance of the heart. Since the early modern ages, the brain has been considered as the main thinking organ of the body, and the heart was no longer considered as the thinking center. However, during recent experiments and studies, it has been found that the heart also has a little brain capable of independent thinking. These findings have opened up a new avenue for research and debate amongst the scientists and religious scholars from all across the world, thus prompting the scholars and scientists to study the neglected sacred text and findings of the past. Hence, there is a need to discuss religious and scientific perspectives about the subject. This will explore the importance of religion and ancient ideas related to advanced medical treatments and ethical considerations, ultimately, leading to well-being of humankind. Therefore, an effort has been made to arrange scattered knowledge on the subject to formulate a simple guideline for scholars for future research.