Kyrylo Somkin

Although Homo sapiens remains the only species with clearly documented religious systems, archaeological evidence suggests that other archaic humans may have exhibited behaviors associated with proto-religious thought, including symbolic practices and possible mortuary rituals. In particular, Homo neanderthalensis and the population known as Denisovans possessed large and complex brains, including well-developed frontal regions associated with social cognition and symbolic processing. This article explores the possibility that these archaic humans possessed early conceptualizations of death and mortality that could represent precursors to later religious ideas. By examining archaeological evidence, genetic research on archaic introgression, and theories from evolutionary anthropology and cognitive science of religion, the study investigates how interactions between archaic humans and modern humans may have contributed to the cognitive and cultural foundations of religious thought. Particular attention is given to the potential influence of archaic genetic heritage on cognitive traits related to agency detection, social cohesion, and attitudes toward death. The article also discusses whether such evolutionary and cognitive influences may have indirectly shaped later religious traditions in different cultural contexts, including both Western and Eastern religious systems. While direct causal connections remain difficult to establish, this study aims to provide an interdisciplinary framework for understanding how archaic human populations may have contributed to the deep evolutionary roots of human religiosity.

This paper proposes a neurophilosophical conceptual model of human consciousness structured as two functional brain states: the personal mode and the meta-reflective mode. The personal mode is defined as a motivationally and socially embedded configuration of neural processes oriented toward adaptation, identity maintenance, and ego-relevant concerns. The meta-reflective mode is characterized as a functional state in which cognition turns upon itself, enabling abstraction, self-objectification, and existential evaluation.The model does not posit a metaphysical dualism nor strictly separable neural systems. Rather, both modes may recruit overlapping brain regions, including prefrontal structures, while differing in dominant functional orientation and hierarchical organization. The distinction is therefore not anatomical but configurational.It is argued that tensions between these modes may account for different categories of psychological crises: identity-based crises primarily emerging within the personal mode, and existential crises arising from intensified meta-reflective activation. The framework further suggests that the development of civilization reflects the structural coexistence of adaptive engagement and reflective distancing. While empirical validation remains limited, the model aims to provide a structured bridge between phenomenological analysis and contemporary neurocognitive theory.

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) in primates has undergone significant evolutionary expansion, supporting advanced cognitive abilities that underlie complex decision-making, working memory, and planning, ultimately enabling the emergence of human intelligence. In birds, the nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL) functions as a structural and functional analog to the mammalian PFC, exhibiting convergent cognitive capacities despite distinct neuroanatomical organization. This conceptual article presents a comparative analysis of the PFC in primates (e.g., chimpanzees) and the NCL in birds (e.g., crows and African grey parrots), drawing upon current scientific literature to examine their respective roles in higher-order cognition. The study discusses similarities and differences in neural architecture, connectivity, and functional specialization, highlighting both convergent evolution and species-specific adaptations. By integrating findings from neurophysiology, behavioral studies, and evolutionary biology, this article provides insights into how diverse neural structures can give rise to analogous cognitive abilities across taxa, contributing to our understanding of the evolutionary mechanisms that support complex cognition.

The development of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) enabled humans to acquire advanced communication skills, distinguishing them as highly social compared to other species. Communication emerged not merely as a functional adaptation but as a fundamental property of the human brain, facilitating the formation of hierarchies, cooperation, and complex societies. This core social drive shaped both individual and collective behavior, providing the foundation for intricate cultural systems. Within this context, memes—defined as replicable units of cultural information—developed as a complementary cultural mechanism, influencing the spread of ideas and behaviors alongside genetic evolution. Memes reflect and enhance humanity’s natural predisposition for interaction, serving as vehicles for social learning, identity formation, and group cohesion. This study examines the interplay between the evolution of the human brain, the emergence of social memes, and their role in shaping cognitive processes and societal organization. By exploring these dynamics, we highlight how the human tendency for communication underlies cultural evolution and the mechanisms through which societies create, transmit, and maintain shared knowledge and social structures.

The origin of the concept of God is a central question at the intersection of neuroscience, cognitive science, and social theory. This review proposes an integrative model in which religious belief emerges as an interaction between neurocognitive mechanisms, genetic predispositions, and sociocultural influences. Specifically, neural circuits including ventromedial prefrontal-limbic networks (vmPFC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) support emotional valuation and rational evaluation of supernatural agents, while dopaminergic and serotonergic pathways reinforce meaningful experiences. Genetic and temperamental factors modulate individual responsiveness to these neural processes, and sociocultural institutions shape beliefs into stable, culturally transmitted concepts. By synthesizing evidence across neural, genetic, and social levels, the paper demonstrates that the idea of God is neither purely biologically determined nor solely culturally constructed, but an emergent phenomenon. This integrative perspective provides a mechanistic explanation for the universality of religious belief, its variability across cultures, and offers concrete directions for testing predictions in neuroimaging, genetic, and cross-cultural studies.

Cognitive aging is characterized by declines in executive functions, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying the dissociation between cortical control and emotional reactivity remain unclear. This article proposes a conceptual model based on divergent transcriptomic erosion in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) compared to the relative resilience of the limbic system. We summarize data showing that the PFC exhibits marked reductions in the expression of genes critical for synaptic integrity and layer II/III glutamatergic signaling, such as PTGS2, DRD4, SST, and CREB1. Furthermore, we propose that postnatal attenuation of human-specific developmental factors, including ARHGAP11B, may limit "cortical reserve," increasing the vulnerability of the neocortex to mitochondrial and oxidative stress. In contrast, phylogenetically older limbic structures, such as the amygdala, exhibit a more conserved expression profile, with relative retention of early response genes (ARC, FOS). FAT4 gene expression in subcortical limbic structures (such as the amygdala) remains relatively constant after brain development is complete. It is less sensitive to momentary neurotransmitter fluctuations, resulting in a flatter expression profile. We posit that this "transcriptomic mismatch" leads to a disruption of descending disinhibition, in which stable limbic reactivity is no longer modulated by weakening prefrontal cortex activity. This evolutionary tradeoff provides a molecular basis for age-related increases in impulsivity and emotional lability, suggesting that more recently evolved brain regions are the first to succumb to the molecular pressures of aging, compared to the more conservative and stable limbic system. This confirms and illustrates how the brain has evolved over the course of evolution and how new cortical areas often become unstable or incompletely developed as they develop further.