The Wisdom Paradox: How Your Mind Can Grow Stronger as Your Brain Grows Older - Softcover

Goldberg, Elkhonon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1592401872 ISBN 13: 9781592401871

Publisher: Avery Publishing Group, 2006

Synopsis

The Wisdom Paradox explores the aging of the mind from a unique, positive perspective. In an era of increasing fears about mental deterioration, world-renowned neuropsychologist Elkhonon Goldberg provides startling new evidence that though the brain diminishes in some tasks as it ages, it gains in many ways. Most notably, it increases in what he terms "wisdom" the ability to draw upon knowledge and experience gained over a lifetime to make quick and effective decisions. Goldberg delves into the machinery of the mind, separating memory into two distinct types: singular (knowledge of a particular incident or fact) and generic (recognition of broader patterns). As the brain ages, the ability to use singular memory declines, but generic memory is unaffected--and its importance grows. As an individual accumulates generic memory, the brain can increasingly rely upon these stored patterns to solve problems effortlessly and instantaneously. Goldberg investigates the neurobiology of wisdom, and draws on historical examples of artists and leaders whose greatest achievements were realized late in life.

About this title

About the Author

Elkhonon Goldberg is the author of The Executive Brain and is a clinical professor of neurology at the New York University School of Medicine. He is in private practice in neuropsychology and is an active researcher in the field of cognitive neuroscience.

On the web: http: //www.elkhonongoldberg.com/

Edition details

• Publisher: Avery Publishing Group
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1592401872
• ISBN 13: 9781592401871
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352