Philosophical Foundations of Neuroscience (2nd Edition)

- Blurb -

Neuroscience is a rapidly growing and ever-changing discipline, and it is more critical than ever that cognitive neuroscientists and philosophers of mind be taught to consider the conceptual questions and problems inherent in their practice. The first edition was published in 2003, and at the time of its publication, the book' s critical approach prompted praise and criticism from the top minds in both fields and opened up new avenues for research in the intersection of neuroscience and philosophy. It is time for a new edition which not only introduces students and researchers to cutting-edge concepts in a more engaging and pedagogically-oriented manner, but which also addresses its own scholarly reception in view of facilitating additional debate around these issues for greatest learning impact. Max Bennett and P. M. S. Hacker will both continue as authors, and in addition to a substantial afterword which presents and refutes the most visible criticisms of their approach, revisions will focus around accessibility and analysis of developments in neuroscientific technology which have emerged in the past 15 years. A significant change will be to give greater attention to overviewing methodology and approach to highlight the constructive (rather than critical/destructive) side of the authors' analyses. This will enable both deeper coverage on existing topics and more applicable takeaways for neuroscientists to critically and productively engage in their practice. Other areas to be highlighted in this revision include the conceptual limitations of neuroscientific explanation in reductionism, the compatibility of the volume' s methods and results with non-reductive evolutionary theory, neuroscientific theories about reasoning, decision-making, value, and reward, and new material on the emotions. Tree diagrams and charts will be added for visual comprehension and increased pedagogical impact.