Guest guest Posted July 1, 2011 Report Share Posted July 1, 2011 I recently finished reading Eagleman's book 'Incognito' and thought it was very good. He writes well and uses very little jargon. The idea that most of what happens in our brain is almost entirely unconscious is an interesting one. As is the realisation that we have no access to how we think the thoughts we find ourselves thinking. As Walt Whitman said: " I am large, I contain multitudes " . Our brain is a parliament of factions, each member of which is fighting below our awareness for dominance. Understanding this allows me to be kinder to myself, more tolerant of my internal war. Re free will, I'm in the " I don't believe " camp. All my reading about physics and neuroscience has lead me to this rather unusual belief. As odd as it might sound, it has given me a greater sense of peace and, at times, more compassion for those who do bad things. Jerry Coyne's book " Why Evolution is True " is also a great read. The story of how life evolved and how we came to be the way we are, warts and all, is a miraculous tale that fills me with wonder and awe and goes a long way toward realising my spiritual values. Cheers, Stan > > > > An interesting post by Jerry Coyne at his " Why Evolution Is True > (WEIT) > > blog: > > > > > http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/free-will-the-brain-a\ > \ > > nd-the-law/#comment-113680 > > > > None of which contradicts the " minds/brains can be changed " school of > > thought, but which adds food for thought about how we may arrive at > > certain junctures in our lives. > > > > > > Regards, > > > > Detlef > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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