Phantoms in the Brain - Probing the Mysteries of the Human Mind

V. S. Ramachandran, Sandra Blakeslee

Fourth Estate

2000

352 páginas

11h 44m

ISBN-13: 9781857028959

What would you say about a woman who, despite stroke-induced paralysis crippling the entire left side of her body, insists that she is whole and strong--who even sees her left hand reach out to grasp objects? Freud called it "denial"; neurologists call it "anosognosia". However it may be labelled, this phenomenon and others like it allow us peeks into other mental worlds and afford us considerable insight into our own.

The writings of Oliver Sacks and others have shown us that we can learn much about ourselves by looking closely at the deficits shown by people with neurological problems. VS Ramachandran has seen countless patients suffering from anosognosia, phantom limb pain, blindsight and other disorders, and he brings a remarkable mixture of clinical intuition and research savvy to bear on their problems. He is one of the few scientists who are able and willing to explore the personal, subjective ramifications of his work; he rehumanizes an often too-sterile field and captures the spirit of wonder so essential for true discovery. Phantoms in the Brain is equal parts medical mystery, scientific adventure, and philosophical speculation; Ramachandran's writing is smart, caring, and very, very funny.

Whether you're curious about the workings of the brain, interested in alternatives to expensive, high-tech science (much of Ramachandran's research is done with materials found around the home), or simply want a fresh perspective on the nature of human consciousness, you'll find satisfaction withPhantoms in the Brain.

Resenhas (1)

4 (Muito bom)

Looking into mysteries of the human mind

This is a very interesting book for anyone interested in the brain, its structure and functioning. Most of the information processing functions are performed by our nervous system--including the brain--without our being aware of them. This startling fact becomes evident when scientists study people whose brain has lost some functions, in consequence of diseases or accidents.

The cases presented in the book are very curious, it is exciting to follow the author in the search for causes of the problems and solutions for the patients!

Very good reading, pleasant and informative!