Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This book describes the relevance of biological discovery to philosophical topics such as perception, freedom, determinism, and ethical values and, in turn, relates the significance of philosophical concepts to work taking place in biology and the neurosciences. The author uses clear-cut language to describe the brain and its functions, and links this information to questions concerning physical makeup versus "real" self, the awareness of our moral sense, and how human consciousness differs from that of animals. He demonstrates that perception is not a passive process but an active search for information, and offers an intriguing theory concerning the purpose of human knowledge. In addition to general readers, the book will be of special interest to students of philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, and physiology.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Young is a distinguished British scientist long associated with the department of experimental psychology at Oxford University. He has authored An Introduction to the Study of Man (CH, Apr '72), Programs of the Brain (CH, Sep '79), A Model of the Brain (1964), and The Life of Vertebrates (1950). The present work attempts to integrate biology, psychology, and philosophy. Young claims that knowledge of the brain can improve our appreciation of life, and, in fact, can alleviate some of its troubles. Divided into four sections, the book is organized around the processes of coding and representation; perceiving; learning; and valuing. Young does not hesitate to tackle the biological basis of such philosophical problems as free will versus determinism, the nature of beauty, and the perpetual choices made by the self, as orchestrated by the brain. A remarkable and clear summary of the state of our technical knowledge. The book is directed at those who are concerned about human nature: professionals, students, and general readers.-L. Gillikin, Hampton Counseling Services