The New Phrenology: The Limits of Localizing Cognitive Processes in the Brain (Life and Mind: Philosophical Issues in Biology and Psychology) (First Edition)

Uttal, William R.

ISBN 10: 0262210177 / ISBN 13: 9780262210171

Published by Bradford Books / MIT Press, 2001

About this Item

Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2001. First edition, first printing. Hardcover. Full blue cloth, with gilt lettering to spine. Fine in a near fine dust jacket, with one tiny closed tear to rear cover. Comes with archival-quality mylar dust jacket protector. A tight clean copy. Octavo, 255 pages, with index. This book critiques the assumptions of modern neuroimaging, arguing that attempts to localize mental functions in specific brain regions repeat the errors of 19th-century phrenology. William R. Uttal was a professor of psychology and electrical engineering who published widely on perception, cognition, and neuroscience. This is one of his major works on cognitive science and philosophy of mind.

Seller Inventory # Annex-Univ-MIT-Press

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The New Phrenology: The Limits of Localizing Cognitive Processes in the Brain (Life and Mind: Philosophical Issues in Biology and Psychology) (First Edition)
• Publisher: Bradford Books / MIT Press
• Publication Date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0262210177
• ISBN 13: 9780262210171
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • Philosophy

About this title

Synopsis

William Uttal is concerned that in an effort to prove itself a hard science, psychology may have thrown away one of its most important methodological tools—a critical analysis of the fundamental assumptions that underlie day-to-day empirical research. In this book Uttal addresses the question of localization: whether psychological processes can be defined and isolated in a way that permits them to be associated with particular brain regions.

New, noninvasive imaging technologies allow us to observe the brain while it is actively engaged in mental activities. Uttal cautions, however, that the excitement of these new research tools can lead to a neuroreductionist wild goose chase. With more and more cognitive neuroscientific data forthcoming, it becomes critical to question their limitations as well as their potential. Uttal reviews the history of localization theory, presents the difficulties of defining cognitive processes, and examines the conceptual and technical difficulties that should make us cautious about falling victim to what may be a "neo-phrenological" fad.

About the Author

William R. Uttal is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan and in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Arizona State University.