The Hardware and Software of the Mind

You can name every lobe in the brain. You know which neurotransmitters regulate mood. You can explain how memories form in the hippocampus. But you still don't know why you sabotage every relationship, why criticism devastates you, or why success never feels like enough.

This is the great failure of modern psychology. We’ve built the most detailed maps of the brain’s hardware in human history—and we’re more lost than ever when it comes to understanding ourselves.

You learned about neurons in high school. About dopamine and serotonin in college. About fMRI studies in every article about mental health. But nobody taught you why you always need to be right, why you can’t stop helping others at your own expense, or why you feel fundamentally different from everyone around you.

The brain’s “software”—personality, emotions, motivations, the patterns that actually govern your life—has been abandoned by mainstream science. Too subjective, they say. Too hard to measure. Better to scan brains and prescribe pills than to ask the uncomfortable question: What is actually going on inside you?

There’s a better way. And it’s actually ancient.

❓ Check Yourself: Can you name the brain’s lobes? Now: Can you name why you react the way you do when criticized? Which knowledge is actually more useful for living?

Understanding the Software in the Brain

Computer hardware is to computer software as the brain’s lobes and cortices are to cognitive functions and processes.

Much like a computer operates with hardware and software, the human mind has the brain’s physical components and the immaterial elements like thoughts, emotions, and personality. Modern science has mapped the brain’s anatomy in great detail, yet it struggles to decode the subtler aspects of how we think, feel, and engage with our surroundings.

Because the mind’s “software” is poorly understood, we leave it to the experts.

But “experts” do not have all the answers. To make matters worse, they are incentivized to give prescriptions.

The brain’s “software” is often only examined when something goes wrong and a prescription is needed. This means that much remains to be explored and understood.

To make up the difference and understand what is going on in our brains, many people turn to personality tests. And that may be a good idea.

The Overlooked Gem: Personality Theory

Personality Theory is often dismissed as “pseudo-science.”

Those who favor measurable data are often quick to point out the shortcomings of personality tests when they are mentioned. Yes, the different personality theories floating around are imperfect; however, there is a paradox that the naysayers must wrestle with.

People are both similar and different.

All personality systems attempt to explain the dimensions by which we are similar and different. But one personality system does it better than the rest.

And that personality system is the Enneagram.

Why is the Enneagram so accurate? Because it bases the personality types on emotions.

The TL;DR on the Enneagram here.

Emotions are not the problem; they are the key

The default response of many to emotional struggles often involves quick pharmacological solutions rather than engaging in discussions.

The prevailing culture of immediate gratification pushes many to seek quick fixes whenever emotional distress appears. This approach, while sometimes necessary, can overshadow longer term solutions such as psychotherapy and personal reflection. The root causes of psychological issues are not commonly understood. But they are worth diving into (different personality types are predisposed to certain mental health issues).

Counter argument acknowledgment: I do recognize pharmacological interventions can be life-saving for many individuals with severe mental health conditions. A balanced approach that incorporates both medication and therapy is often the most effective way to address mental health issues.

There is value in conversations about emotions. And these conversations are necessary for addressing mental health issues at the root.

Carl Jung understood the importance of emotions.

From Jung to Now: The Shift from software to hardware

Carl Jung, inspired by Freud, pioneered the exploration of psychological archetypes.

Through psychoanalysis he attempted to map out what was happening inside the mind. He sought to explore the difference between stated preferences and revealed preferences. He was trying to map out archetypes or personalities. Over time, however, his subjective methods of study fell out of favor. They were replaced by the objective, reproducible experiments of behaviorism—like Skinner’s box and Pavlov’s dogs.

Science shifted into the realm of cognitive psychology and neuroimaging, the focus went to the brain’s hardware.

Freud and Jung’s psychoanalysis fell out of favor.

Counter argument acknowledgment: I do acknowledge the significant contributions of cognitive psychology and neuroimaging in advancing our understanding of brain function and its relationship to behavior and mental processes. These approaches have yielded invaluable insights that complement, rather than replace, the exploration of the mind’s “software.”

But there was another group of people that did a form of psychoanalysis that goes further back.

The Greeks decoded the software of the mind through “Archetypes”

The Greeks understood the importance of archetypes.

The Greeks had flawed gods. The gods weren’t meant to be perfect, and their emotions were on full display. Seeing how the gods acted helped the Greeks put into context their own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors and set up a culture where everyone was self-aware.

These archetypes served as cautionary tales, and they helped Greeks form a type of pattern recognition to understand people.

Today, we lack a shared set of archetypes. We have a gap in our collective understanding of emotions, thought patterns, and behaviors that drive our actions. We are waiting for the research and the experts to tell us how to feel, think, and act.

This limits our self-awareness.

But some see this problem and are trying to do something about it.

Advocates of the Less Tangible Aspects of Psychology

The following contemporary thinkers and practitioners are leading a renaissance in understanding the depths of our internal experiences, championing the exploration of emotions, personal narratives, and the subtle complexities of human behavior.

Dr. Brené Brown: Bridging Empirical Research and Emotional Insight

Esther Perel: A Fusion of Clinical Knowledge and Emotional Depth

Jordan Peterson: Archetypes, Myths, and Personality Analysis

Ray Dalio: Applying Personality Insights in the Business World

Ray Dalio, in his influential book ”Principles,” dedicates an entire chapter to personality, underscoring his recognition of psychology’s role in understanding human behavior, particularly in the context of business and leadership. Dalio’s approach reflects a pragmatic understanding of the importance of psychological insights in the professional realm, acknowledging that a deep understanding of personality can be crucial in effective decision-making and team management.

These thought leaders exemplify the synergy that can be achieved when empirical methods are combined with a deep exploration of emotions, archetypes, and personal narratives, offering a holistic approach to understanding human psychology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dr. Brené Brown’s contribution to psychology?

Dr. Brené Brown is renowned for her qualitative research on vulnerability, courage, and shame. She connects empirical findings with deep emotional insights, offering a comprehensive understanding of human emotions and behaviors. Her work demonstrates that rigorous research and emotional depth aren’t mutually exclusive—they enhance each other.

How does Esther Perel’s work integrate clinical knowledge with emotional depth?

Esther Perel is known for her work on relationships and intimacy, combining her clinical psychology background with a rich exploration of emotional aspects in human connections. Her approach provides a unique understanding of the dynamics in relationships, going beyond data to explore the psychological forces that govern trust, desire, and connection.

What distinguishes Jordan Peterson’s approach in psychology?

Jordan Peterson integrates the study of archetypes and myths with modern psychological practice. He advocates using the Big Five personality test, blending empirical psychology with narrative and mythology to understand human behavior and personality. His work shows how ancient wisdom can complement scientific understanding.

How does Ray Dalio incorporate psychology into business principles?

Ray Dalio applies psychological insights in the business world, especially in his book “Principles,” where he dedicates a chapter to personality. His approach highlights the importance of understanding personality for effective decision-making and team management in professional settings—recognizing that success requires understanding human nature, not just metrics.

The Future

A holistic understanding of the mind requires us to embrace both the seen and the unseen, the measurable and the immeasurable, the hardware and the software of the mind. The mind is not just a machine to be studied from the outside; it’s a rich, complex world waiting to be explored from within.