"The Triune Brain in Evolution" (book)

"The Triune Brain in Evolution" by Paul D. MacLean describes how the human brain evolved in three stages. The earliest part, the "reptilian complex," governs instinct and basic survival. The middle, the limbic system, adds emotions and social behaviors. The newest, the neocortex, handles higher thinking, language, and reasoning. This layered structure reflects our evolutionary history, with each part building on the previous ones, influencing how we behave, feel, and think. The book explains that understanding these layers helps us better grasp human nature, behavior, and the brain’s complexity.