In 1747, Julien Offroy de La Mettrie anonymously published a pamphlet that scandalized Europe. The Dutch government, the most tolerant in Europe, decreed its destruction, and made every effort to learn who wrote it. La Mettrie fled to Berlin, where he was forced to live in exile for the rest of his life. His crime? He had argued that thought was produced by the brain--a dangerous assault, in the eyes of his contemporaries, on the soul. Not for the last time, the science of the human mind had outgrown human imagination. ...
Read More
In 1747, Julien Offroy de La Mettrie anonymously published a pamphlet that scandalized Europe. The Dutch government, the most tolerant in Europe, decreed its destruction, and made every effort to learn who wrote it. La Mettrie fled to Berlin, where he was forced to live in exile for the rest of his life. His crime? He had argued that thought was produced by the brain--a dangerous assault, in the eyes of his contemporaries, on the soul. Not for the last time, the science of the human mind had outgrown human imagination. Written by an international team of scientists, The Enchanted Loom offers a sweeping look at the history of neuroscience from the philosophy of Aristotle to the advent of Artificial Intelligence. This collection of accessible, intriguing essays is supplemented by over 350 spectacular illustrations, many in color, with thorough and informative captions written by the scientists themselves. The authors discuss Descartes's contributions to thought about the brain, alongside brilliant artistic studies of the central nervous system that he and masters like da Vinci executed. They show how phrenology--the long discredited study of skull shape and mental faculties--actually represented a breakthrough in thinking about localized brain functions, and how the advent of the microscope and other equipment led to new discoveries. The contributors bring the story up to the present day, unfolding the emergence of the modern neurosciences, advances in molecular biology, and the debate over how infants learn language. In addition, the book offers a short history of computers and recent thought about whether the mind works like computer software. Noted contributors include Larry Squire, writing on memory; Solomon Snyder, discussing psychopharmacology; and John Dowling on vision. Colorful, intelligent, informative, The Enchanted Loom offers an authoritative and enjoyable look at the history of a complex and fascinating science.
Read Less
Add this copy of The Enchated Loom. Chapters in the History of to cart. $50.74, very good condition, Sold by Victoria Bookshop rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Bere Alston, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1991 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of The Enchanted Loom: Chapters in the History of to cart. $74.98, very good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1991 by Oxford University Press, USA.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good. Very Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. In protective mylar cover. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. NOT AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.
Add this copy of The Enchanted Loom: Chapters in the History of to cart. $82.23, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hialeah, FL, UNITED STATES, published 1991 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of The Enchanted Loom: Chapters in the History of to cart. $144.95, very good condition, Sold by Defunct Books rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Nashville, TN, UNITED STATES, published 1991 by Oxford University Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good in Good jacket. Book Dust jacket has a few small rears/chips, edge wear, creases, scratches, rubbed corners/spine, sunned. Boards have edge wear, rubbed corners/spine. Owner's name inside front cover. No writing in text.
