NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROMANIA
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
6.30pm – 8.00pm, followed by a drinks reception
The British Academy, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1
Professor Raymond Tallis in conversation with Professor Robin Dunbar FBA
Neuroscience is making astounding progress in helping us to understand how the brain works and this will deliver advances in the management of brain disease. Unfortunately, it has a Dark Companion – Neuromania – which is founded on the belief that brain activity is not merely a necessary but a sufficient condition for human consciousness and that consequently our behaviour in every day life can be entirely understood neural terms. This has resulted in wild claims about the potential of neuroscience to cast light on art, to explain economic behaviour, to inform social policy and the justice system, and even to account for religious belief. The talk will show why such hype is bad for the reputation of neuroscience and may have dangerous consequences.
Please click here for more details and to register. Attendance is free but registration is required.