Making up the Mind (eBook)

Chris Frith is Professor in Neuropsychology at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging at University College London. His publications include Schizophrenia: A Very Short Introduction (2003, with Eve C. Johnstone) and The Neuroscience of Social Interaction (2004, edited with Daniel Wolpert).

Prologue: Real scientists don't study the mind.

Part I: Seeing through the brain's illusions:.

1. Clues from a damaged brain.

2. What a normal brain tells us about the world.

3. What the brain tells us about our bodies.

Part II: How the brain does it:.

4. Getting ahead by prediction.

5. Our perception of the world is a fantasy that coincides withreality.

6. How brains model minds.

Part III: Culture and the brain:.

7. Sharing minds - How the brain creates culture.

Epilogue: Me and my Brain.

References/Further Reading

"Making up the Mind is an excellent 'big picture' book.
Exactly as its subtitle indicates, this book describes how our
brains construct an internal model of the world that enables us to
successfully interact with others and generally navigate a complex
world." (Psychology Learning and Training, Autumn 2008)

"Neuroscience and psychology often struggle to answer the really
interesting questions about the mind, but in this fascinating book,
Chris Frith shows that science can finally start explaining how and
why we experience the world as we do. Anyone interested in human
nature - not just the nuts and bolts of neural circuits - will find
his storytelling compelling. Frith delves into topics such as
delusions, illusions, imagination and imitation, bringing clarity
and insight to the simplest abservations and most complex
experiments alike." (New Scientist)

"Making up the Mind is an interesting book to everybody
who wants to learn more about how the brain gives rise to our
mental experiences...As Frith himself depicts in a sort of framing
story, you will easily find yourself talking about these ideas at
your next dinner party, as well as use it for serious
considerations on the brain or as a toolbox for next term's essay.
A stimulating new book by a distinguished scientist who knows what
he is talking about." ( Metapsychology Online Reviews)

"Frith has produced an enthralling discussion on the subtle
links between mind and brain, sometimes with humorous liaisons
between himself, as narrator, and others who might be labelled as
sceptics, unbelievers."(Psychologist)

"Stands apart from many that have been written lately
... For those who have time to read only one book ... this
should be it. Essential."(Choice Reviews)

Oliver Sacks"Making up the Mind is a fascinating guided tour
through the elusive interface between mind and brain written by a
pioneer in the field. The authors obvious passion for the subject
shines through every page."

-V. S. Ramachandran

"I soon made up my mind that this is an excellent, most
readable and stimulating book. The author is a distinguished
neuroscientist working especially on brain imaging."

-RL Gregory, Experimental Psychology

"Chris Frith, one of the pioneers in applying brain imaging
to study mental processes, has written a brilliant introduction to
the biology of mental processes for the general reader. This superb
book describes how we recreate in our brains a representation of
the external world. Clearly and beautifully written, this book is
for all who want to learn about how the brain gives rise to the
mental phenomenon of our lives. A must read!"

-Eric R. Kandel, M.D.

"Important and surprising. The brain will never seem the same
again."

-Lewis Wolpert, University College London

"Frith's luminously intelligent book...raises
interesting questions about how it is possible to make serious
scientific progress, on the borders of metaphysics, while still
thinking inside a framework that is an ontological and
epistemological muddle."

-Raymond Tallis, Brain