Acknowledgements; Preface; 1. Neuroscience and morality; 2. Morality and the mind; 3. Beyond the mind zone; 4. Morality and the brain; 5. Bad without conscience; 6. Biology of choice; 7. Sex and the single moral code; 8. Brain biology and sex; 9. Deception; 10. The biology of money; 11. The bad and the mad; 12. Creating a moral brain; Glossary; Notes; Index.
This book explores the impact of neuroscience research over the past 20 or more years on brain function as it affects moral decisions.
Laurence R. Tancredi, a psychiatrist-lawyer, is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine and the author or coauthor of numerous articles and several books on topics in law, ethics and psychiatry, including Dangerous Diagnostics: The Social Power of Biological Information (1994) and When Law and Medicine Meet: A Cultural View (2004). Tancredi has a private practice in New York City and works as a forensic psychiatric consultant. He has consulted in dozens of legal cases involving a wide variety of psychiatric issues, from the effects of toxic environmental substances on brain function to criminal cases involving assault, rape and homicide.
'No one writes as well about these topics as Laurence Tancredi - he
is versed in history, philosophy and legal thought with a
sophisticated background and understanding of the neurosciences. In
this book Dr Tancredi expertly guides the reader through the
complex issues of free will and morality and what new insights are
gained through discoveries in the science of the brain.' Myrna
Weissman, Professor of Epidemiology and Psychiatry, College of
Physician and Surgeons, Columbia University
'I've read Dr Tancredi's manuscript carefully and found it
fascinating. Dr Tancredi's provocative and challenging thesis is
explored lucidly and systematically. He weaves together clinical
cases, research findings, and theory into a provocative and wholly
original consideration of the entire notion of free-will and the
biological bases of moral behavior. He explains how brain structure
and function influence the processing and content of our thoughts
and the actions that result, creating a highly original and
readable synthesis. Dr Tancredi is able to present complex and
wide-ranging material in an accessible and comprehensible fashion,
making for a truly fascinating tale.' Arthur J. Barsky, Professor
of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Director of Psyhiatric
Research, Brigham Women's Hospital
'Joining together the forensic skills of a lawyer and a
psychiatrist, Tancredi probes the neurological foundations of moral
thought in this fascinating new work. If we are indeed 'hardwired'
for morality, then we may someday have the power to rehabilitate
even those who today seem to stand completely outside the pales of
our moral community, such as the serial killer on death row whom
Tancredi interviewed for the book. In a speculative and provocative
last chapter, he shows that lawyers can imagine the future through
'law fiction,' just as scientists have done for so long through
better established genre of science fiction.' Sheila Jasanoff,
Pforzheimer Professor of Science and Techonology Studies, John F.
Kennedy School of Government, Harvard
'… a genuine contribution to increasing public understanding of
neuroscience and moral behavior … In addition to providing content
that is easy to read, the author makes his commitment to
communication evident in early chapters of the book with simple
illustrations of relevant neuroanatomy … a straightforward glossary
of terms, and a lengthy but excellent notes section … the close
alignment of neuroscientific findings about hardwired behavior with
ethical and intelligent thinking that respects and honors personal
and cultural values is vital. The concept of close alignment is one
with which this reviewer agrees wholeheartedly and one that should
be embraced by all neuroscientists.' Nature Neuroscience
'The book's strength lies in its accessibility: the author clearly
describes neural systems that contribute to moral behavior, and
then relates those systems to illustrative clinical cases. The
writing style and topics are at exactly the right level to excite
and fascinate undergraduates, especially those from a
non-neuroscience background. Highly recommended.' Choice
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