The New Brain Sciences Perils and Prospects [Paperback]

The social, ethical and legal implications of discoveries in the neurosciences.The brain is the most complex organ in the body. The last 20 years have seen huge advances in our understanding of how it works and the neurosciences are currently one of the biggest fields of medical research. Researchers are now trying to understand the nature of consciousness itself. However, with discovery comes implication and responsibility. Written at a level accessible to all, this book is an attempt to expose some of these discoveries and question the boundaries of what is ethically, socially and legally acceptable.The brain is the most complex organ in the body. The last 20 years have seen huge advances in our understanding of how it works and the neurosciences are currently one of the biggest fields of medical research. Researchers are now trying to understand the nature of consciousness itself. However, with discovery comes implication and responsibility. Written at a level accessible to all, this book is an attempt to expose some of these discoveries and question the boundaries of what is ethically, socially and legally acceptable.The last twenty years have seen huge advances in our understanding of how the brain works. Researchers are now trying to understand the nature of consciousness itself. This collection represents an accessible attempt to expose and question research boundaries of what is ethically, socially and legally acceptable in neuroscience research.List of contributors; Part I. Introduction: the new brain sciences Steven Rose; Part II. Freedom to Change: 1. Do we ever really act? Mary Midgley; 2. The definition of human nature Merlin W. Donald; 3. Consciousness and the limits of neurobiology Hilary Rose; 4. Mind metaphors, neurosciences and ethics Regine Kollek; 5. Genetic and generic determinism, a new threat to free will? Peter Lipton; Part III. Neuroscience and the Law: 6. Human action, neuroscience and the law Alexander McCall Smith; 7. Responsibility and tl#+