Editing Evolutionary neuroscience (section)

=== Reptile brain<span id="reptile_brain_anchor" class="anchor"></span> ===
Plato's insight on the evolution of the human brain contemplated the idea that all humans were once lizards, with similar survival needs such as feeding, fighting and mating. In the [[classical Greece|classical era]] [[Plato]] first described this concept as the ''"lizard mind"'' – the deepest layer and one of three parts of his conception of a three-part human mind. In the 20th&nbsp;century [[Paul D. MacLean|P. MacLean]] developed a similar, modern ''[[triune brain]]'' theory.<ref name=Barrett-2020/>{{rp|style=ama|pp= 14–16}}

Recent research in molecular genetics has demonstrated evidence that there is no difference in the neurons that reptiles and nonhuman mammals have when compared to humans. Instead, new research speculates that all mammals, and potentially reptiles, birds and some species of fish, evolve from a common order pattern. This research reinforces the idea that human brains are structurally no t any different from many other organisms.<ref name=Barrett-2020/>{{rp|style=ama|p= 19–21}}

The cerebral cortex of reptiles resembles that of mammals, although simplified.<ref name=Kaas-2007/> Although the evolution and function of the human cerebral cortex is still shrouded in mystery, we know that it is the most dramatically changed part of the brain during recent evolution. The reptilian brain, 300&nbsp;million years ago, was made for all our basic urges and instincts like fighting, reproducing, and mating. The reptile brain evolved 100&nbsp;million years later and gave us the ability to feel emotion. Eventually, it was able to develop a rational part that controls our inner animal.