Conclusion

This concluding chapter summarizes the findings from the previous chapters. Seen collectively, the findings paint a somewhat complicated picture of democratic citizenship in Latin America. On the one hand, the high rates of vote switching during campaigns, often as a result of informal discussion, reflect an open-mindedness and a responsiveness to counter-argumentation that is absent in the more polarized and partisan United States. In thinking about their vote decisions, moreover, Latin American voters seek informed advice, identifying knowledgeable peers from whom to learn. On the other hand, this social process during the campaign does not necessarily yield better decisions, at least according to the correct-voting criterion. Moreover, this process is dominated by the upper class in a region that already suffers deep socioeconomic inequalities.

Emergence of free will and consciousness in humans: implications for doctor-patient interactions

Human brains have about 100 billion neurons each with about 1000 dendritic connections with other neurons giving a total of 100 000 billion deterministic dendritic switches. Various voting systems that the brain may use can produce conflicting results from identical inputs without any indication as to which one or ones would be correct. Voting systems cannot deliver unequivocal results in any other than the simplest situations. It is hypothesised that these conflicting results provide an indeterminacy that underlies free will, self-awareness, awareness of others, consciousness and personal responsibility, all of which can influence doctor-patient interactions.