Description
Being Brains offers a critical exploration of neurocentrism, the belief that "we are our brains," which became widespread in the 1990s. Encouraged by advances in neuroimaging, the humanities and social sciences have taken a "neural turn," in the form of neuro-subspecialties in fields such as anthropology, aesthetics, education, history, law, sociology, and theology. Dubious but successful commercial enterprises such as "neuromarketing" and "neurobics" have emerged to take advantage of the heightened sensitivity to all things neuro. While neither hegemonic nor monolithic, the neurocentric view embodies a powerful ideology that is at the heart of some of today's most important philosophical, ethical, scientific, and political debates. Being Brains, chosen as 2018 Outstanding Book in the History of the Neurosciences by the International Society for the History of the Neurosciences, examines the internal logic of such ideology, its genealogy, and its main contemporary incarnations.
About the Author
Fernando Vidal (Author)
Fernando Vidal is Research Professor of ICREA (Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies) at the Medical Anthropology Research Center, Rovira i Virgili University, Tarragona, Spain.
Francisco Ortega (Author)
Francisco Ortega is Professor at the Institute for Social Medicine and Research Coordinator of the Rio Center for Global Health at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is also Visiting Professor at the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at King's College, London.
Reviews
"Being Brains offers a terrifically thoughtful and thorough examination of the 'neuro-' turn in various disciplines. On the basis of solid research and subtle analysis, Vidal and Ortega give readers conceptual and critical tools to make sense of widespread claims that studying the 'neural correlates' of various activities-art and religion, for instance- will transform or even replace other ways of making sense of what humans do. The book will be a major touchstone in cross-disciplinary discussions about the implications of our contemporary fascination with brains." -- -John Tresch University of Pennsylvania
Awards
Winner of 2018 Outstanding Book in the History of the Neurosciences Award.
Book Information
ISBN 9780823276073
Author Fernando Vidal
Format Hardback
Page Count 304
Imprint Fordham University Press
Publisher Fordham University Press
About the Author
Fernando Vidal (Author)
Fernando Vidal is Research Professor of ICREA (Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies) at the Medical Anthropology Research Center, Rovira i Virgili University, Tarragona, Spain.
Francisco Ortega (Author)
Francisco Ortega is Professor at the Institute for Social Medicine and Research Coordinator of the Rio Center for Global Health at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is also Visiting Professor at the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at King's College, London.
Reviews
"Being Brains offers a terrifically thoughtful and thorough examination of the 'neuro-' turn in various disciplines. On the basis of solid research and subtle analysis, Vidal and Ortega give readers conceptual and critical tools to make sense of widespread claims that studying the 'neural correlates' of various activities-art and religion, for instance- will transform or even replace other ways of making sense of what humans do. The book will be a major touchstone in cross-disciplinary discussions about the implications of our contemporary fascination with brains." -- -John Tresch University of Pennsylvania
Awards
Winner of 2018 Outstanding Book in the History of the Neurosciences Award.
Book Information
ISBN 9780823276073
Author Fernando Vidal
Format Hardback
Page Count 304
Imprint Fordham University Press
Publisher Fordham University Press
