In 'We Are Our Brains', D. F. Swaab takes readers on a captivating journey through the intricate connection between our brains and our identities. Exploring groundbreaking research, he reveals how neurological processes shape our thoughts, emotions, and decisions. The book delves into profound questions about free will, consciousness, and the nature of self, challenging conventional beliefs. Swaab's engaging narrative intertwines science with relatable anecdotes, making complex ideas accessible and intriguing. Prepare to rethink everything you thought you knew about who you are and what drives your actions.
By D. F. Swaab
Published: 2014
"Our minds are not separate from our brains; they are the very fabric of our being, weaving our thoughts, feelings, and identities into the rich tapestry of existence."
A vivid account of what makes us human. Based groundbreaking new research, We Are Our Brains is a sweeping biography of the human brain, from infancy to adulthood to old age. Renowned neuroscientist D. F. Swaab takes us on a guided tour of the intricate inner workings that determine our potential, our limitations, and our desires, with each chapter serving as an eye-opening window on a different stage of brain development: the gender differences that develop in the embryonic brain, what goes on in the heads of adolescents, how parenthood permanently changes the brain. Moving beyond pure biological understanding, Swaab presents a controversial and multilayered ethical argument surrounding the brain. Far from possessing true free will, Swaab argues, we have very little control over our everyday decisions, or who we will become, because our brains predetermine everything about us, long before we are born, from our moral character to our religious leanings to whom we fall in love with. And he challenges many of our prevailing assumptions about what makes us human, decoding the intricate “moral networks” that allow us to experience emotion, revealing maternal instinct to be the result of hormonal changes in the pregnant brain, and exploring the way that religious “imprinting” shapes the brain during childhood. Rife with memorable case studies, We Are Our Brains is already a bestselling international phenomenon. It aims to demystify the chemical and genetic workings of our most mysterious organ, in the process helping us to see who we are through an entirely new lens. Did you know? • The father’s brain is affected in pregnancy as well as the mother’s. • The withdrawal symptoms we experience at the end of a love affair mirror chemical addiction. • Growing up bilingual reduces the likelihood of Alzheimer’s. • Parental religion is imprinted on our brains during early development, much as our native language is. Praise for We Are Our Brains “Swaab’s ‘neurobiography’ is witty, opinionated, passionate, and, above all, cerebral.”—Booklist (starred review) “A fascinating survey . . . Swaab employs both personal and scientific observation in near-equal measure.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) “A cogent, provocative account of how twenty-first-century ‘neuroculture’ has the potential to effect profound medical and social change.”—Kirkus Reviews
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“Our minds are not separate from our brains; they are the very fabric of our being, weaving our thoughts, feelings, and identities into the rich tapestry of existence.”
We Are Our Brains
By D. F. Swaab
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D. F. Swaab is a distinguished author known for his captivating explorations of human psychology and the intricacies of the human mind. His notable works include the critically acclaimed novels 'The Mind's Mirror' and 'Shadows of Thought', both of which delve into the complexities of consciousness, identity, and personal relationships. With a writing style that is both reflective and engaging, Swaab skillfully blends intricate plots with profound philosophical insights, inviting readers to ponder the depths of their own thoughts and emotions. His literary contributions have made significant impacts in both the literary and psychological communities.
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