The Brain-Shaped Mind: What the Brain Can Tell Us About the Mind
Will brain scientists ever be able to read our minds? Why are some things harder to remember than others? Based on recent brain research and neural network modeling, The Brain-Shaped Mind addresses these and other questions, and provides a clear account of how the structure of the brain influences the workings of the mind. Neuroscientists are now learning about our minds by examining how the neurons in the brain are connected with one another and the surrounding environment. This book explores how neural networks enable us to recognize objects and learn new things, and what happens when things go wrong. The reader is taken on a fascinating journey into what is arguably one of the most complicated and remarkable aspects of our lives.What the brain cannot tell us about the mind -- How neurons form networks -- Theories and models of how the mind functions -- What are connectionist networks? -- How our networks learn -- Connecting the networks: how different things are related -- Evidence for connectionist models -- Two different types of memory -- Coping with disaster -- Practical implications -- Criticism of connectionist theory
