Descartes' error : emotion, reason, and the human brain

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Title:

Author:

Damasio, Antonio R.

ISBN:

9780143036227

Personal Author:

Damasio, Antonio R.

Publication Information:

London : Penguin, 2005.

Physical Description:

xxiii, 312 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.

General Note:

Includes bibliographical references: (p. [269]-297) and index.

Abstract:

"In the centuries since Descartes famously proclaimed, "I think, therefore I am," science has often overlooked emotions as the source of a person's true being. Even modern neuroscience has tended until recently to concentrate on the cognitive aspects of brain function, disregarding emotions. This attitude began to change with the publication of Descartes' Error. Antonio Damasio challenged traditional ideas about the connection between emotions and rationality. In this wonderfully engaging book, Damasio takes the reader on a journey of scientific discovery through a series of case studies, demonstrating what many of us have long suspected: emotions are not a luxury, they are essential to rational thinking and to normal social behavior."--BOOK JACKET.

Subject Term:

Emotions -- Physiological aspects.

Reason -- Physiological aspects.

Neuropsychology.

Copies:

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Item Barcode	Shelf Number	Copy	Status
Searching... 1:IIEMSA	1:GEN-BOOK	33168025485638	612.8232 D155D 2005	1	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

"An ambitious and meticulous foray into the nature of being." -- The Boston Globe

A landmark exploration of the relationship between emotion and reason

Since Descartes famously proclaimed, "I think, therefore I am," science has often overlooked emotions as the source of a person's true being. Even modern neuroscience has tended, until recently, to concentrate on the cognitive aspects of brain function, disregarding emotions. This attitude began to change with the publication of Descartes' Error in 1995. Antonio Damasio--"one of the world's leading neurologists" ( The New York Times )--challenged traditional ideas about the connection between emotions and rationality. In this wondrously engaging book, Damasio takes the reader on a journey of scientific discovery through a series of case studies, demonstrating what many of us have long suspected: emotions are not a luxury, they are essential to rational thinking and to normal social behavior.