Neuroscience, Neuroculture, and Neuroethics

Contemporary brain research is challenging Western societal norms by questioning basic cornerstones such as individuality, freedom, rationality, solidarity, and the concept of the human being in general. It is giving way to profound changes in Western concepts of culture and civilization. This volume provides a broad overview of the cultural changes incurred by neuroscience and neurotechnology, and explores the evolving fields of neuroeconomics, neuroreligion, neuropolitics, and neuroethics. It takes a multi-disciplinary approach in explaining how neuroscience and neurotechnology will affect society, and illustrates how these tools and methods are being used in research and ever-expanding practices in varying fields.

Praise for Neuroscience, Neuroculture, and Neuroethics: A Broad Overview

“Giordano, Benedikter and Shook provide an accessible, timely, and engaging introduction to the main challenges of neuroscience and neurotechnology for individuals and society. It is impressively wide-ranging, insightfully examining philosophical, cultural, political, and economic dimensions of brain science. An especially fascinating aspect of the book is discussion of the implications of bioenhancement for transhumanism and how it could influence how we define who we are.”

--Walter Glannon, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, University of Calgary, Canada

“This book provides an excellent survey about the challenging ‘Neuro-World’. It reflects the different perspectives which are relevant for modern societies. It is full of information to gather additional knowledge on an international and interdisciplinary level.”

--Prof. Dr. Ernst Pöppel, Professor of Medical Psychology, Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich, Germany

“This engaging and highly accessible book offers an excellent short introduction to the powerful impact of neuroscience and neurotechnology upon modern societies. Covering a broad range of issues and perspectives from neuroscience, social science, philosophy, and ethics, it is eminently suitable for teaching and provides a thought-provoking basis for further discussions.”

--Kathinka Evers, Professor of Philosophy, Senior Researcher in Philosophy at the Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics (CRB) at Uppsala University, Sweden; and Professor Ad Honorem at the Universidad Central de Chile