David Eagleman and Raymond Tallis: The brain… it makes you think. Doesn't it?

[eveshi]

The brain… it makes you think. Doesn't it?

Are we governed by unconscious processes? Neuroscience believes so – but isn't the human condition more complicated than that? Two experts offer different views more

[FallingLeaf]

Well...they're both right: much of our *daily* mind is unconscious - but obviously we don't unconsciously choose our spouse, job etc. The two overlap - Tallis is very well educated but slightly too extreme in his insistence on neuroscience being unable to tell us anything about human nature - the 'reward system' and aggression tells us a lot and does it matter that we've known this all along? Well, yes, it does but it speaks to some of us in a rationalistic, scientific language we understand.

I think they were mostly talking past one another - would be great to see a more free-flowing exchange. Tremendous respect for both of them.