Part 9/16:
Biological motivations often conflict within and across different subsystems. For example, hunger may conflict with sleep—"Do I eat now or sleep?" or anger may conflict with sexual desire—"Should I confront or seek intimacy?" These conflicts are inherent to survival and reproduction, requiring the brain's higher functions to resolve them optimally over time and context.
The rest of the brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex, is essential in solving these conflicts, orchestrating complex decision-making processes that extend beyond simple immediate drives. It helps balance competing priorities—how much to prioritize self-maintenance versus social bonding, or immediate needs versus future goals.