Naujausi A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T V W Y Z
Autoriai: PATRICIA SMITH CHURCHLAND
Metai: 2002
ISBN: 0-262-53200-X
Brūkšninis kodas: 003076427221
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Anotacija:
Progress in the neurosciences is profoundly changing our conception of ourselves. Contrary to time-honored intuition, the mind turns out to be a complex of brain functions. And contrary to the wishful thinking of some philosophers, there is no stemming the revolutionary impact that brain research will have on our understanding of how the mind works....
Brain-Wise is the sequel to Patricia Smith Churchland's Neurophilosophy, the book that launched a sub-field. In a clear, conversational manner, this text examines old questions about the nature of the mind within the new framework of the brain sciences. What, it asks, is the neurobiological basis of consciousness, the self, and free choice? How does the brain learn about the external world and about its own introspective world? What can neurophilosophy tell us about the basis and significance of religious and moral experiences?
Drawing on results from research at the neurochemical, neuronal, system, and whole-brain levels, the book gives an up-to-date perspective on the state of neurophilosophy—what we know, what we do not know, and where things may go from here.
Patricia Smith Churchland is Chair of the Philosophy Department and UC President's Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, San Diego, and Adjunct Professor at the Salk Institute. She is the author of Neurophilosophy: Towards a Unified Understanding of the Mind-Brain (MIT Press, 1986) and coauthor of On the Contrary (MIT Press, 1998) and The Computational Brain (MIT Press, 1992). She is past president of the American Philosophical Association and the Society for Philosophy and Psychology.
"There is a new wave in philosophy. The Queen of the Sciences is visiting the kitchen. Patricia Churchland is one of the creators of neurophilosophy, the movement that thinks philosophers should know something about the brain. In this very sensible and readable book she is riding on the crest of the wave.
"If you are seriously interested in who you are, your thoughts, your emotions, and in deep questions such as consciousness, free will, and religion, this book is for you. Against a brief historical background it outlines all these issues and shows how modern neuroscience is helping to shed some light on them. It takes you from molecules to memory, from temporal lobe epilepsy to religiosity, and much more besides. There is no other book quite like it. A must for every intelligent reader." - Francis Crick, Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
"In an age of increasing specialization, the gap between philosophy and neuroscience can be enormous. Somehow Churchland manages to connect the dots, and a deeper, richer and more complete view of how the brain enables the mind emerges from her powerful new book. It is a great contribution." - Michael S. Gazzaniga, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Dartmouth College.
"A brilliant tour of what neuroscience teaches about perennial philosophical problems of self, knowledge, identity, and the nature of things. It's also a thrilling primer on how philosophy itself will change as it takes knowledge of brain science to heart. A wonderful treat for the novice and the expert!" - Owen Flanagan, James B. Duke Professor of Philosophy, Duke University.
"This should be a terrific source for the student of philosophy because it explores to what extent fundamental philosophical questions can be illuminated by empirical inquiry." - Larry Squire, University of California, San Diego, and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Diego.
