Theories of how the brain computes can be differentiated in three general conceptions: the algorithmic approach, the neural information processing (neurocomputational) approach and the dynamical systems approach. The discussion of key features of brain organization (i.e. structure with function) demonstrates the self-organizing character of brain processes at the various spatio-temporal scales. It is argued that the features associated with the brain are in support of its description in terms of dynamical systems theory, and of a concept of computation to be developed further within this framework.