Neuro-Philosophy and the Healthy Mind: Learning from the Unwell Brain

by Georg Northoff MD PhD

Applying insights from neuroscience to philosophical questions about the self, consciousness, and the healthy mind.

Can we “see” or “find” consciousness in the brain? How can we create working definitions of consciousness and subjectivity, informed by what contemporary research and technology have taught us about how the brain works? How do neuronal processes in the brain relate to our experience of a personal identity? Where does the brain end and the mind begin?To explore these and other questions, esteemed philosopher and neuroscientist Georg Northoff turns to examples of unhealthy minds. By investigating consciousness through its absence—in people in vegetative states, for example—we can develop a model for understanding its presence in an active, healthy person. By examining instances of distorted self-recognition in people with psychiatric disorders, like schizophrenia, we can begin to understand how the experience of “self” is established in a stable brain.Taking an integrative approach to understanding the self, consciousness, and what it means to be mentally healthy, this book brings insights from neuroscience to bear on philosophical questions. Readers will find a science-grounded examination of the human condition with far-reaching implications for psychology, medicine, our daily lives, and beyond.

Genres: Psychology, Philosophy, Neuroscience, Nonfiction, Science

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 11, 2016

Reviews

[Lena Palaniyappan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very accessible treatise on the mind-world issue. A lot to ponder on.

I listened to the audio version. The reader was calling Georg as George and GABA as Gee-A-Bee-A.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interessante la parte sul cervello-mondo. Ottima l’integrazione delle discipline. Manca a mio avviso una riflessione più accurata su tempo identità ed emozioni e sull’inconscio onirico

[HyeIn Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book explores self, consciousness, mind and the brain and their relationship to one another in philosophical and scientific way. I got to admit that while it was very fascinating to follow through, it was a bit confusing. You would think you know so much about your mind, but do you really? Because this book questions what we normally take for granted and attempt to understand them in different situations when things are not so healthy, you're kind of left wondering if these concepts are definable in the first place. Then, the author provides you with his own questions and perspectives on the matter. I feel that this book really does require a second through read. But here's my first impression: I found case studies very stimulating and the discussion of them compassionate yet logical. I would recommend this book to anyone who want to explore mind, brain and scope of consciousness in a way that combines our inherent ability to question ways of life and our strength to pull the concepts together. At least, that's how I look at the combination of philosophical and scientific questions in this book.