Is the Brain a Computer?

For centuries, some people have tried to explain the mind in mechanical terms. Now that computers are au most impressive technology, brains are said to be computers. But this is still no more than a metaphor, says sirl. And there is no more reason to expect the brain to be a computer than a steam engine. A steam engine is not a universal simulator, but a computer is. So expecting it to be able to do whatever neurons can is not a metaphor.