Items related to Strange, Familiar & Forgotten
An explanation of what consciousness is and how the brain creates and sustains it reconsiders famous clinical cases, as well as new evidence from science, to show how memories, language, thoughts, and drives make up consciousness
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From Kirkus Reviews:
City University's Rosenfield has been described as one ``trained as a mathematician, a physician, a philosopher, and a historian of ideas.'' Aspects of all four are reflected in this short and provocative work, with perhaps the lion's share being that of the philosopher. Essentially, Rosenfield argues that it is consciousness--and self-consciousness in particular--that informs our ability to think and feel and remember. This entails an intact self-image to serve as a point of reference to which we relate the ever-changing events in the world. Failings in this self-referential system show up as dysfunctional memories, perceptions, thoughts, and language. Thus the stroke victim who ignores one side of the body is actually the victim of altered self-consciousness/image. Other neurological and psychiatric problems (Tourette's syndrome, multiple-personality disorder) are also conceived as failures in self-image. But are they the cause or result? Arguable points, certainly. The ideas Rosenfield presents here are an extension of concepts developed in his The Invention of Memory (1988). Here, consciousness reigns supreme as the dynamic force organizing human behavior, a consciousness that incorporates memory. Consciousness is never truly defined, however, but only described as emerging from ``a constantly evolving relation among sets of stimuli.'' This reluctance to come to terms, to pin concepts down, reflects Rosenfield's intent to argue against classic neurological maps of specific brain sites of damage as leading to specific losses, and indeed any attempt to ``hard wire'' the brain or to model it as a computer. There is much that is stimulating in Rosenfield's rereading of history and case studies, but his synthesis may swing the pendulum too far in the direction of an all-encompassing explanatory principle that reverses Descartes's dictum: For Rosenfield, it is I am (have a body), therefore I think. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
From School Library Journal:
YA-- This well-written and informative monograph utilizes clinical research of disabled individuals to build a very strong case for Rosenfield's opinion that consciousness is the major function of the brain. Students of psychology will appreciate the variety of primary-source information included, as well as the concise discussion of the history of thought and theory on this topic. The book is an interesting resource that will guide more serious students into new areas of thought and reflection. In addition, its substantial catalog of notes is an excellent reference guide. Students of both the natural and the behavioral sciences will be able to glean information and perspective from exposure to this type of work. This very fine work is also a "must read" for AP psychology students. Most high-school libraries will want to consider it for purchase.
- Nancy K. Craig, Robert E. Lee High School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Nancy K. Craig, Robert E. Lee High School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherRandom House Value Publishing
- Publication date1994
- ISBN 10 0517117975
- ISBN 13 9780517117972
- BindingHardcover
- Rating
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