The actor's brain
Exploring the cognitive neuroscience of free will
- Publisher's listprice GBP 100.00
-
47 775 Ft (45 500 Ft + 5% VAT)
The price is estimated because at the time of ordering we do not know what conversion rates will apply to HUF / product currency when the book arrives. In case HUF is weaker, the price increases slightly, in case HUF is stronger, the price goes lower slightly.
- Discount 10% (cc. 4 778 Ft off)
- Discounted price 42 998 Ft (40 950 Ft + 5% VAT)
Subcribe now and take benefit of a favourable price.
Subscribe
47 775 Ft
Availability
printed on demand
Why don't you give exact delivery time?
Delivery time is estimated on our previous experiences. We give estimations only, because we order from outside Hungary, and the delivery time mainly depends on how quickly the publisher supplies the book. Faster or slower deliveries both happen, but we do our best to supply as quickly as possible.
Product details:
- Publisher OUP Oxford
- Date of Publication 2 July 2009
- ISBN 9780198526667
- Binding Hardback
- No. of pages462 pages
- Size 241x164x30 mm
- Weight 814 g
- Language English
- Illustrations 65 black & white figures, 22 black & white photos, 8 page colour plate section 0
Categories
Short description:
Is free will just an illusion? What is it in the brain that allows us to pursue our own actions and objectives? What is it about this organ that permits seemingly purposeful behaviour, giving us the impression we are free? This book takes a journey into the brain to examine what is about known voluntary behaviour, and why it can go wrong.
MoreLong description:
Is free will just an illusion? What is it within the brain that allows us to pursue our own actions and objectives? What is it about this organ that permits the emergence of seemingly purposeful behaviour, giving us the impression that we are 'free'? This book takes a journey through the anatomy and physiology, the structures and processes, of the human brain to demonstrate what is known about the control of voluntary behaviour, when it is 'normal' and when it breaks down.
It starts by taking the reader from the basic 'hard' anatomy supporting simple hand and finger movement, through to the 'higher' structures of the human brain supporting the timing and selection of voluntary acts, and on towards a consideration of the complex distributed systems supporting voluntary behaviour (volition).
Conditions elaborated upon along the way include the curious case of Dr Strangelove and his anarchic, wayward limb, the belief in alien control experienced by sufferers of schizophrenia, the seemingly inexplicable paralyses encountered in hysterical conversion patients, and the biological processes that enable us to lie to each other and engage in violence. The book concludes by examining some of the many varied attempts that human actors have made to expand such a volitional space, to enhance their own self-control and creativity.
Written in an engaging and accessible style, but with its roots in hard science, the book will make fascinating reading for psychiatrists, neuroscientists, and philosophers, and anyone who has ever wondered whether we are really free.
The Actor's Brain is a fresh, thought-provoking journey into a millennial theme... Many parts are written in an engaging, humorous and mellifluous style, and some sections are excellent.
Table of Contents:
Prologue - Against freedom
Moving a finger
Assembling a 'will'
The timing of intentions
Volitional architectures
Losing control
Failing to act
Hysterical agents
Deceivers all
Harming others
Human response space
Epilogue - Raising a fist
