Consciousness and the Brain

A Scientific and Philosophical Inquiry

Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Psychology, Physiological Psychology, Neuropsychology
Cover of the book Consciousness and the Brain by , Springer US
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781468421965
Publisher: Springer US Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781468421965
Publisher: Springer US
Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

The relationship of consciousness to brain, which Schopenhauer grandly referred to as the "world knot," remains an unsolved problem within both philosophy and science. The central focus in what follows is the relevance of science---from psychoanalysis to neurophysiology and quantum physics-to the mind-brain puzzle. Many would argue that we have advanced little since the age of the Greek philosophers, and that the extraordinary accumulation of neuroscientific knowledge in this century has helped not at all. Increas­ ingly, philosophers and scientists have tended to go their separate ways in considering the issues, since they tend to differ in the questions that they ask, the data and ideas which are provided for consideration, their methods for answering these questions, and criteria for judging the acceptability of an answer. But it is our conviction that philosophers and scientists can usefully interchange, at least to the extent that they provide co~straints upon each other's preferred strategies, and it may prove possible for more substantive progress to be made. Philosophers have said some rather naive things by ignoring the extraordinary advances in the neurosciences in the twentieth century. The skull is not filled with green cheese! On the other hand, the arrogance of many scientists toward philosophy and their faith in the scientific method is equally naive. Scientists clearly have much to learn from philosophy as an intellectual discipline.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The relationship of consciousness to brain, which Schopenhauer grandly referred to as the "world knot," remains an unsolved problem within both philosophy and science. The central focus in what follows is the relevance of science---from psychoanalysis to neurophysiology and quantum physics-to the mind-brain puzzle. Many would argue that we have advanced little since the age of the Greek philosophers, and that the extraordinary accumulation of neuroscientific knowledge in this century has helped not at all. Increas­ ingly, philosophers and scientists have tended to go their separate ways in considering the issues, since they tend to differ in the questions that they ask, the data and ideas which are provided for consideration, their methods for answering these questions, and criteria for judging the acceptability of an answer. But it is our conviction that philosophers and scientists can usefully interchange, at least to the extent that they provide co~straints upon each other's preferred strategies, and it may prove possible for more substantive progress to be made. Philosophers have said some rather naive things by ignoring the extraordinary advances in the neurosciences in the twentieth century. The skull is not filled with green cheese! On the other hand, the arrogance of many scientists toward philosophy and their faith in the scientific method is equally naive. Scientists clearly have much to learn from philosophy as an intellectual discipline.

More books from Springer US

Cover of the book Blood Cells as a Tissue by
Cover of the book Problems of the Psychology of Memory by
Cover of the book Multi-Treatment Modalities of Liver Tumours by
Cover of the book Coronary Vasculature by
Cover of the book High-Functioning Individuals with Autism by
Cover of the book Abortion: Understanding Differences by
Cover of the book Persistent Pain by
Cover of the book Americans Abroad by
Cover of the book The Psychology of Sympathy by
Cover of the book The Neurochemical Basis of Autism by
Cover of the book Assessment and Programming for Young Children with Low-Incidence Handicaps by
Cover of the book Six Group Therapies by
Cover of the book Hunter-Gatherers by
Cover of the book Inter-area Oscillations in Power Systems by
Cover of the book Handbook of Operations Research Applications at Railroads by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy