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Title: The Mind and the Brain : Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, Sharon Begley ISBN: 0-06-039355-6 Publisher: Regan Books Pub. Date: 15 October, 2002 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $27.50 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.44 (16 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Nails in the coffin of determinism
Comment: Schwarz outlines scientific evidence of "neuroplasticity", the ability of the neurons in the brain to form new connections. Neuroplasticity is the result of "Attentiveness", or Mental force, and in illustrating this concept, Schwarz clearly designates between the Mind and the Brain. The Mind can change the Brain. Schwarz ties neuroplasticity to quantum mechanics, and thus tries to create a Unified Theory of Consciousness. This is an excellent book to challenge determinists (like Rita Carter) who insist that there is zero free will and we are entirely the result of biochemistry. Schwarz uses examples of scientific and psychological experiments to prove his point--this is not just abstract philosophical argumentation like so many other "Brain-philosophers" getting published today. The author addresses the infamous Libet experiment that apparently proved epiphenomenalism (the idea that consciousness has no casual impact on the brain, and the neurons work first before the mind "decides"), and this is one of the most important aspects of the book, as Libet's experiment is trotted out repeatedly to prove determinism.
However, Schwarz's free will is not idealized. His interpretation of the mind is more like a sleepy sailor on a mini-sailboat. The sailor is the mind, the boat is the brain, and the wind is nature. If the sailor isn't alert, the wind will guide the boat wherever the wind takes it. However, if the sailor is attentive, he can guide the boat however he wishes. Focus and attention are necessities--when we act rashly or go w/ our immediate reaction, we are just being guided by the wind. Schwarz is a Buddhist, but his conclusions can be applied to any philosophy or religion. His more "weird" conclusions are the result of confronting the "weird" realities of Quantum Mechanics and non-locality.
If there are any weaknesses in the book, it's two: 1.) the middle section on the monkeys is unnecessary, repetitive, and disgusting. He proves his point w/ human research, no need to bring this depressing garbage up of tortured monkeys, you can skip these chapters, and 2.) He is a little too hard on Descartes, as much modern day philosophers are. Is not the division between Mind and Brain, between Quantum wave fluctuation and Newtonian particles, merely updated versions of Cartesian duality? The lines may be blurred between the Mind of Volition and the Matter of classical physics, but they remain distinct on some level, if not in form than in purpose. Schwarz's dualism is far more Cartesian than modern-day postermodernism or deterministic biochemistry. "Cogito Ergo Sum" is reinforced by "Mindfull Attentiveness", not undermined.
Rating: 4
Summary: Educational and enlightening
Comment: I agree with the more thoughful customer reviews of this very interesting book. Some chapters are very educational, thought-provoking, and enlightening. Those chapters are at the beginning and the end of the book. They describe obsessive-compulsive disorders and treatments, the history of the mind vs brain debates, quantum physics, volition, and how these topics explain the mind.
The middle chapters about animal experiments serve little purpose, are confusing and are depressing.
Furthermore, this book desperately needs editing. Too much of the text is obviously dictation, and there are silly and unnecessary analogies throughout. The chapter on free will is interesting, but the cited experiments are ridiculous.
Having said all this, I recommend this book, but advise selective reading.
Rating: 3
Summary: he is not a true scientist
Comment: He is a spiritual person. Well I thought about what he was talking about a lot. I'm not going to explain all of my thoughts here, but I at least mention what conclusions I reached, lemme know if anyone else shares these. First of all he doesn't come out of closet and candidly say that I believe in god and I think the spiritual world is definitely involved with human brains.
He keeps that hidden throughout for several reasons which mostly are obvious; he hiddenly calls those "spiritual effects", mind!
So what is mind? He never answers that question. I think he does that so maybe some of his not smarter audiences conclude that maybe god exists or maybe science does explain religion somehow. And then he brings up the quantum physics and says Aha that's what it is, quantum physics explains mind but he never says how, all he says is that the classical physics doesn't explain mind it only explains brain, particles hitting each other and stuff. By involving quantum physics I think he's trying to gain more validity or legitimacy on his absolutely non-valid arguments.
My final comment is "WHAT?!"
Why don't you explain what you are talking about instead of just bombarding us by your opinions? Don't just say brain sucks say why it sucks.
Oh, btw I don't belong to Arkansas, I should be living in NY or CA at least.
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Title: Brain Lock : Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior by Jeffrey M. Schwartz ISBN: 0060987111 Publisher: Regan Books Pub. Date: 12 March, 1997 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Dear Patrick: Life is Tough - Here's Some Good Advice by Jeffrey M. Schwartz ISBN: 006098743X Publisher: Regan Books Pub. Date: 25 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Synaptic Self: How Our Brains Become Who We Are by Joseph Ledoux ISBN: 0142001783 Publisher: Penguin Books Pub. Date: 28 January, 2003 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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Title: A Return to Innocence: Philosophical Guidance in an Age of Cynicism by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, Annie Gottlieb, Patrick Buckley ISBN: 0060392401 Publisher: ReganBooks Pub. Date: 01 October, 1998 List Price(USD): $22.00 |
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Title: The New Brain: How the Modern Age Is Rewiring Your Mind by Richard Restak ISBN: 1579545017 Publisher: Rodale Books Pub. Date: 23 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
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