Maps of the Mind: Charts and Concepts of the Mind and its Labyrinths

by Charles Hampden-Turner

Presents and assesses more than fifty concepts of how the mind works and attempts to assimilate them into an overall theory

Genres: Psychology, Science, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Game Design, Art, Design

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Steven Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The strength of this book also contains within it its main weakness. The book lays out a variety of "maps of the mind," views as to how the brain acts. The author notes that (Page 8): "This book brings together in visual form numerous ways in which mind has been conceived." The book looks at different levels of ideas about mind--from narrower to broader concepts. Level 1, for example, examines (Page 10): "Here the human mind is struggling to emancipate itself from servitude to the gods or the laws of Newtonian mechanics. . . ." The highest, Level 9, notes (Page 11): "At its most inclusive mind is seen is inhering in the structure of myth, institutions, and cultures."

Some examples of maps appearing throughout this volume.

Map 21, level 3 represents Paul MacLean’s "triune brain," in which three parts of the brain, each building upon older parts of the brain, structure human consciousness and behavior. The reptilian brain is conceived to be characterized by hidebound following of instinctive urges. The limbic system overlays this with emotion. Finally, the cerebral cortex provides new ways of learning and coping.

Map 25, level 3: Karl Pribram's Holographic Mind. Pribram wanted to understand consciousness in terms of new experience with preexisting memories. He used the metaphor of the hologram to explain how new experiences interacted with extant memories.

Map 54, level 8 focuses on the structure of scientific revolution and tries to wed Thomas Kuhn (with his idea of scientific paradigms) with Allan Buss' view of psychological adaptation.

Thus, there are many "maps" discussed. The downside? Only a few pages are devoted to each. Thus, the book gains breadth at the cost of depth. However, if one wants a sense of differing views of the mind at the time of the book's publication, it still serves a useful practice.

[Toby Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hampden-Turner romps, but carefully and instructively, through a century’s worth of psychological insight and theorising. Towards the end, as he began wrapping one map around another in his own somewhat Byzantine cybernetic synthesis, I was unable to keep up, but his gloss on some thinkers with whom I was already familiar was never less than interesting.

[James Madsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book for a long time and still find it to be one of the very best presentations of various ways of seeing the workings of the mind. Edward Tufte would be pleased with the visual depictions (I certainly am!), which add immeasurably to the accessibility of the book. Even though it was published in 1982, it's still a worthwhile and very enlightening read!

[Marin . · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book entertaining and amusing - like an old and visually engaging map - map of our mainly reptilian brains. A map, although labyrinthian, we will continue to study and try to understand - just to prove to ourselves that all scientific theories are wrong. The amount of research associated with very often conflicting theories and ideas about the human mind is astonishing and mind-boggling - done 22 years before Google became a publicly-traded company...

[Daniel Seifert]

Maps of the Mind is a pier into various mind-maps [schemas with thoughtful descriptions affording perspectival learning from levels of view; includes historical/religious, psychoanalytical/existential, physiological in terms of function, creativity, developmental, language, and cybernetics/paradigmatic.

[Ryan Lyppens · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good, manages to cover the key viewpoints of psychology throughout history and convey the driving message/wisdom without sacrificing detail. I loved this book so much that I summarized the main point of each map, I want to remember everything.

[Luka · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing images, very nice picture book...oh wait

[Randy Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it.

[Dr M · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best and most comprehensive book dealing with history ideas and of human thought.

[Mark Singer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential comparative study of various concepts of the human mind.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous. I want to create a poster out of all the maps.