This book explores the impact of neuroscience research over the past 20 or more years on brain function as it affects moral decisions. Findings show that the mind and brain are very close, if not the same, and that the brain'makes'the mind. This is bringing about a change of focus from examining mental activity (mentalism) to the physical activity of the brain (physicalism) to understand thinking and behavior. We are discovering that the physical features of the brain play the major role in shaping our thoughts and emotions, including the way we deal with'moral'issues. This book sets out the historical framework of the transition from'mentalism'to'physicalism', shows how the physical brain works in moral decisions and then examines three broad areas of moral decision-making - the brain in'bad'acts, the brain in decisions involving sexual relations, and the brain in money decision-making.

Tancredi, Laurence R

New York: Cambridge University Press

United Kingdom and Ireland, United Kingdom

Cambridge ; New York (N.Y.), cop. 2005

New York, New York State, 2005

First Edition, PS, 2005

Illustrated, 2005

NEW YORK, Unknown

Volume 0, 2005

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 177-210) and index.

Neuroscience Research Over The Past Twenty Or More Years Has Brought About A Significant Change In Our Perceptions Of How The Brain Affects Morality. Findings Show That The Mind And Brain Are Very Close, If Not The Same, And That The Brain 'makes' The Mind. This Is Bringing About A Change Of Focus From Examining Mental Activity ('mentalism') To The Physical Activity Of The Brain ('physicalism') To Understand Thinking And Behavior. We Are Discovering That The Physical Features Of The Brain Play The Major Role In Shaping Our Thoughts And Emotions, Including The Way We Deal With 'moral' Issues. This Book Sets Out The Historical Framework Of The Transition From Mentalism To Physicalism, Shows How The Physical Brain Works In Moral Decisions, And Then Examines Three Broad Areas Of Moral Decision Making: The Brain In 'bad' Acts, The Brain In Decisions Involving Sexual Relations, And The Brain In Money Decision Making. Book Jacket. Also Includes Information On Free Will, Lying, Decision Making, Evil, Fairness, Ricky Green Case History, Serial Killer Case History, Etc. Neuroscience And Morality -- Morality And The Mind -- Beyond The Mind Zone -- The Moral Brain -- Bad Without Conscience -- The Biology Of Choice -- Sex And The Single Moral Code -- Brain Biology And Sex -- Deception -- The Biology Of Money -- The Bad And The Mad -- Creating A Moral Brain. Laurence R. Tancredi. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 177-210) And Index.

In many areas of modern life rapid developments in science are overwhelming established norms. Brain biology, through DNA testing and advanced brain imaging techniques, has given medical scientists new insights into the functioning of the human mind. This erosion of long-standing beliefs has many implications for understanding and treating what society considers to be aberrant or immoral behavior. What medical science is indicating is that the focus of our emphasis on mental processes--particularly free will and intentionality--is shifting to recognition of the important role the physical brain plays on human thought and behavior. In Hardwired Behavior the author argues that social morality begins in the brain, for without the brain there would be no concept of morality. Individual responsibility, therefore, must be reconsidered in the light of biological brain processes. The question of whether new scientific findings destroy the relevance of free will, placing it in the context of biological forces that may operate outside the conscious control of the actor, is one of intense debate. Hardwired Behavior takes this question and moves it into the open by clearly detailing neuroscience discoveries and explaining how the ancient precepts of "morality" that have guided mankind throughout its history must now be seen through the new lens of brain biology.

xiv, 226 p. : 23 cm
Includes bibliographical references (p. 177-210) and index

2023-06-28