Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason and the Human Brain - Softcover

Damasio, Antonio

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0099501643 ISBN 13: 9780099501640

Publisher: Vintage, 2006

Synopsis

In the centuries 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. Antonio Damasio challenged traditional ideas about the connection between emotions and rationality. In this wonderfully 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 behaviour.

About this title

Review:

"A thought-provoking account" (New Scientist)

"Rich in provocative concepts about intelligence, memory, creativity and passion" (Los Angeles Times)

"idiosyncratic and engaging" (The Times)

"Damasio is a profound thinker and an elegant writer...Descartes' Error is a fascinating exploration of the biology of reason and its inseparable dependence on emotion" (Oliver Sacks)

"Crucial reading" (New York Times Book Review)

From the Publisher:

Crucial reading - New York Times Book Review

About this edition

• Publisher: Vintage
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0099501643
• ISBN 13: 9780099501640
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352