Contents: Prologue. Brains and Minds. Nerve Energy and Neuroactivity. Sensation and Perception. Intention and Movement. Intentional Structure and Thought. Learning and Unlearning. Self and Society.
Freeman, Walter J.
"Societies of Brains is a quite exceptional book and should be a
'must' on the reading list of every reader of this journal."
—Psychological Medicine"In this essay, written for the occasion of
the Spinoza lectures of the University of Amsterdam, Walter Freeman
introduces the new concept of 'neuroactivity,' which is defined as
the structure of brain operations that forms the interface between
the electrochemical signs of neuronal populations and overt,
measured behaviors. While rejecting the dualistic view of mind and
brain, he sets the stage for an inquiry into how causality arises
in brain functions by exploring how neuroactivity relates both to
brain and to mind. The pivotal concept of neuroactivity is that to
understand brain functions, it is essential to take into account
the dynamics of neuronal populations and not just the behavior of
single neurons. Based on a life-long series of exciting
experimental findings aimed at unraveling the dynamics of
neuroactivity in space and time, Freeman speculates about how
sensation and perception, intention and movement, intentional
structure and thought, learning and unlearning come about.
Intrinsic to Freeman's analysis of the signals generated by the
neuronal networks of the brain (i.e. EEGs) is his conviction that
within the apparent unreproducibility and unpredictability of EEG
signals, there may be a hidden chaotic determinism, although he
admits the difficulties in measuring chaos in such brain signals.
In his view this makes the theory of nonlinear dynamics, despite
its difficulties and limitations, the best available new tool for
exploring brain function.
In this essay, Freeman underscores the importance of theoretical
concepts in acquiring insight into the functions of the brain.
Although he leaves the reader with a lot of questions regarding how
to assess his new concepts and test his predictions, this essay
offers plenty of spicy food for critical thought. Spinoza would
have eagerly appreciated being confronted with Freeman's
challenges."
—Fernando H. Lopes da Silva, M.D., Ph. D.
Director, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Amsterdam"How
does the brain work? If you are interested in this question, you
must read Walter Freeman, for he has taken the high ground with his
empirically based, chaos-mathematical model. This is a clearly
written book by a great pioneer about his monumental
breakthrough."
—Ralph Abraham
Professor of Mathematics, University of California, Santa
Cruz"Walter Freeman's book is uniquely valuable as a personalized
statement of the views of a real pioneer and a global theorist with
solid experimental roots. One doesn't need to agree with every
flavor in the bouillabaisse to enjoy and learn and think of the
next experiment."
—Theodore H. Bullock
Professor of Neurosciences, University of California at San
Diego"In this fascinating book, a pioneer of brain research gives
deep insights into brains and minds and encourages the reader to
explore further the utility of synergetics and nonlinear dynamics
for understanding brain function."
—Hermann Haken
Professor of Physics, Institute for Theoretical Physics and
Synergetics, Univers"As fields of knowledge become more diversified
it becomes more difficult and more daring to attempt a synthesis.
Nonetheless, Walter Freeman offers a unique perspective on issues
in psychology, artificial intelligence, literature, philosophy and
medicine organized around his unorthodox but convincing account of
how the brain uses chaotic dynamics to enable animals like us to
cope with their environment. The result is an original and
wide-ranging book, full of fascinating facts and wry wisdom. It
casts grave doubts on the reigning paradigm in neuroscience and
cognitivism and gives researchers in the human sciences a
controversial new theory of the emotions and of human social
bonding."
—Hubert L. Dreyfus
University of California at Berkeley, author of What Computers
Still Can't Do
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