Neuromania: On the limits of brain science

by Paolo Legrenzi, Carlo Umilta, Frances Anderson

Overview

Neuroeconomics, neuromarketing, neuroaesthetics, and neurotheology are just a few of the novel disciplines that have been inspired by a combination of ancient knowledge together with recent discoveries about how the human brain works. The mass media are full of news items featuring colour photos of the brain, that show us the precise location in which a certain thought or emotion, or even love occurs, hence leading us to believe that we can directly observe, with no mediation, the brain at work. But is this really so? Even throughout the developed world, the general public has been seduced into believing that any study, research article, or news report, accompanied by a brain image or two is more reliable and more scientific, than one featuring more mundane illustrations.

This fascinating, accessible, and thought provoking new book questions our obsession with brain imaging. Written by two highly experienced psychologists, it discusses some of the familiar ideas usually associated wtih mind-body, brain-psyche, and nature-culture relationships, showing how the biased and unquestioning use of brain imaging technology could have significant cultural effects for all of us.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199591343
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	05/26/2011
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	134
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 6.80(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Paolo Legrenzi teaches Cognitive Psychology at the University of Venice, where he directs the School of Advanced Studies. He is the author of: "The Mind" (2002), "Creativity and Innovation (2005) and" Believe "(2008).


Carlo Umilta teaches neuropsychology at the University of Padua, where he directs the Galilean School of Higher Studies. He is the author/editor of "Handbook of neuroscience" (ed., 1999) and "brain. Anatomy and structure of the Central Nervous System" (with M. Matelli, 2007).

Editorial Reviews

"In this brief book, neuropsychologists Paolo Legrenzi (Foscari University, Venice) and Carlo Umiltà (University of Padua) bring a welcome appraisal of brain research to a broad audience. They provide an insightful and comprehensible overview of methods and techniques from the origins of brain science to today's MRI scanners." — Ricardo Basso Garcia, Science Magazine

From the Publisher