Ebook: In Search of a Mechanism: from the Brain to the Mind : A Conversation with Chris Frith

This book is based on an in-depth conversation with Chris Frith, Emeritus Professor of Neuropsychology, UCL, and Honorary Research Fellow at the Institute of Philosophy, School of Advanced Study, University of London. After an exploration of how Chris Frith became interested in the study of schizophrenia, this conversation examines a wide range of topics, such as how our understanding of schizophrenia has evolved, the role of dopamine, how the brain works, the brain's predicting role, the phantom limb phenomenon, how the brain and mind link up, and how culture affects the brain.This carefully-edited book includes a detailed introduction, questions for discussion at the end of each chapter and connections with other books in the Ideas Roadshow Conversations series.CHAPTERS:I. Becoming a Psychologist - From "min and crys" to schizophreniaII. Probing Agency - Predictions, tickling and dopamineIII. The Active Brain - The principal actor in the theatre of experienceIV. Ideal Bayesian Operators - How our brains trump our mindsV. In Search of a Mechanism - How to connect the subpersonal with the personalVI. Humanistic Hubris - Dancing bees, stripping pine cones and The Royal SocietyVII. Free Will - And what it meansVIII. The Very Big Picture - Towards a grand unified theory of psychology?IX. Final Thoughts - Schizophrenia treatment and open questionsABOUT IDEAS ROADSHOW CONVERSATIONS:Ideas Roadshow Conversations present a wealth of candid insights from leading experts through a focused yet informal setting. Presented in an engaging conversational format, these books not only explore cutting-edge academic research, but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research. They are explicitly designed to provide a unique window into frontline research and scholarship that wouldn't otherwise be experienced through standard lectures and textbooks. Howard Burton holds a PhD in theoretical physics and an MA in philosophy and was the Founding Director of Canada's Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.