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Descartes' Error

Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain

Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain

By Antonio Damasio

By Antonio Damasio

By Antonio Damasio

By Antonio Damasio

Best Seller

Category: Psychology

Category: Psychology

Paperback $19.00

Sep 27, 2005 | ISBN 9780143036227

Ebook $4.99

Sep 27, 2005 | ISBN 9781101640135

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    Descartes' Error by Antonio Damasio
    Paperback $19.00
    Sep 27, 2005 | ISBN 9780143036227

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    About Descartes’ Error

    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.

    About Descartes’ Error

    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.

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

    Also by Antonio Damasio

    Feeling & Knowing
    The Strange Order of Things
    Self Comes to Mind
    See all books by Antonio Damasio

    Also by Antonio Damasio

    Feeling & Knowing
    The Strange Order of Things
    Self Comes to Mind
    See all books by Antonio Damasio

    About Antonio Damasio

    ANTONIO DAMASIO is University Professor, David Dornsife Professor of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Philosophy, and director of the Brain and Creativity Institute at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Awards he has received include the Prince of Asturias Prize in… More about Antonio Damasio

    About Antonio Damasio

    ANTONIO DAMASIO is University Professor, David Dornsife Professor of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Philosophy, and director of the Brain and Creativity Institute at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Awards he has received include the Prince of Asturias Prize in… More about Antonio Damasio

    Product Details

    Category: Psychology

    Paperback | $19.00
    Published by Penguin Books
    Sep 27, 2005 | 336 Pages | 5-1/16 x 7-3/4 | ISBN 9780143036227

    Category: Psychology

    Ebook | $4.99
    Published by Penguin Books
    Sep 27, 2005 | 336 Pages | ISBN 9781101640135

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    Table Of Contents

    Introduction xi

    PART I

    Unpleasantness in Vermont 3

    Gage’s Brain Revealed 20

    A Modern Phineas Gage 34

    In Colder Blood 52

    PART II

    Assembling an Explanation 83

    Biological Regulation and Survival 114

    Emotions and Feelings 127

    The Somatic-Marker Hypothesis 165

    PART III

    Testing the Somatic-Marker Hypothesis 205

    The Body-Minded Brain 223

    A Passion for Reasoning 245

    Postscriptum 253

    Notes and References 269

    Further Reading 293

    Acknowledgments 299

    Index 301

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