Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality by Churchland, Patricia S.
Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality by Churchland, Patricia S.

Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality

A provocative new account of how morality evolved What is morality? Where does it come from? And...
$40.65 AUD
$40.65 AUD
SKU: 9780691180977
Product Type: Books
Please hurry! Only 0 left in stock
Author: Patricia S. Churchland
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Subtotal: $40.65
Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality by Churchland, Patricia S.

Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality

$40.65
Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality by Churchland, Patricia S.

Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality

$40.65
Author: Patricia S. Churchland
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Description

A provocative new account of how morality evolved

What is morality? Where does it come from? And why do most of us heed its call most of the time? In Braintrust, neurophilosophy pioneer Patricia Churchland argues that morality originates in the biology of the brain. She describes the "neurobiological platform of bonding" that, modified by evolutionary pressures and cultural values, has led to human styles of moral behavior. The result is a provocative genealogy of morals that asks us to reevaluate the priority given to religion, absolute rules, and pure reason in accounting for the basis of morality.

Moral values, Churchland argues, are rooted in a behavior common to all mammals--the caring for offspring. The evolved structure, processes, and chemistry of the brain incline humans to strive not only for self-preservation but for the well-being of allied selves--first offspring, then mates, kin, and so on, in wider and wider "caring" circles. Separation and exclusion cause pain, and the company of loved ones causes pleasure; responding to feelings of social pain and pleasure, brains adjust their circuitry to local customs. In this way, caring is apportioned, conscience molded, and moral intuitions instilled. A key part of the story is oxytocin, an ancient body-and-brain molecule that, by decreasing the stress response, allows humans to develop the trust in one another necessary for the development of close-knit ties, social institutions, and morality.

A major new account of what really makes us moral, Braintrust challenges us to reconsider the origins of some of our most cherished values.

Author: Patricia S. Churchland
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Published: 05/22/2018
Pages: 288
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.40w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9780691180977

About the Author
Patricia S. Churchland is professor emerita of philosophy at the University of California, San Diego, and an adjunct professor at the Salk Institute. Her books include Brain-Wise and Neurophilosophy.
Shipping & Return

Returns Policy

You may return most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We'll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, simply login to your account, view the order using the "Complete Orders" link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We'll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we've received and processed the returned item.

Shipping

We can ship to virtually any address in the world. Note that there are restrictions on some products, and some products cannot be shipped to international destinations.

When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Depending on the shipping provider you choose, shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page.

Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. The weight of any such item can be found on its detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full pound.

Review