Distinguished founder of neurophilosophy Patricia S. Churchland explores why all social groups have ideals for behaviour, even though ethics vary among different cultures and even among individuals. Bringing together an understanding of the influences of nature and nurture, she looks to evolution to elucidate how our brains are configured to form bonds and to care; Churchland then turns to philosophy to understand how morality is transmitted through generations and why it has become a central piece of all societies.

About the Author
Patricia Churchland is the author of Touching a Nerve: Our Brains, Our Selves. She is professor emerita of philosophy at the University of California, San Diego, and the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship.

Reviews
"No one blends philosophy and neuroscience as well as Patricia Churchland. Here she provides a much-needed correction to the usual emphasis on reasoning and logic in moral philosophy. Our judgements are guided by ancient intuitions and brain processes shared with other mammals." -- Frans de Waal
"Conscience is illuminating, entertaining and wise." -- Nature
"... her conclusion-that conscience is not as fixed or universal as we might like to think-is a fascinating and provocative one." -- Economia



Book Information
ISBN 9780393358469
Author Patricia Churchland
Format Paperback
Page Count 240
Imprint WW Norton & Co
Publisher WW Norton & Co
Weight(grams) 198g
Dimensions(mm) 211mm * 140mm * 15mm