Descartes' Error

Emotion, Reason and the Human Brain

Antonio Damasio

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Professor Antonio Damasio reassesses a history of philosophy and science that has long valued rationality over emotion

In the centuries since Descartes famously proclaimed, 'I think, therefore I am,' science has often overlooked emotions as the source of a person's true being. Even modern neuroscience has tended until recently to concentrate on the cognitive aspects of brain function, disregarding emotions. This attitude began to change with the publication of Descartes' Error. Antonio Damasio challenged traditional ideas about the connection between emotions and rationality. In this wonderfully engaging book, Damasio takes the reader on a journey of scientific discovery through a series of case studies, demonstrating what many of us have long suspected: emotions are not a luxury, they are essential to rational thinking and to normal social behaviour.

Published: 1 September 2010
ISBN: 9781407072067
Imprint: Vintage Digital
Format: EBook
Pages: 352

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About the author

Antonio Damasio

Born in Portugal, Antonio Damasio became Van Allen Distinguished Professor and head of the department of neurology at the University of Iowa College of Medicine, and Adjunct Professor at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California. He is the author of Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason and the Human Brain and The Feeling of What Happens: Body, Emotion and the Making of Consciousness.

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Praise for Descartes' Error

Rich in provocative concepts about intelligence, memory, creativity and passion
Los Angeles Times

idiosyncratic and engaging
The Times

Damasio is a profound thinker and an elegant writer...Descartes' Error is a fascinating exploration of the biology of reason and its inseparable dependence on emotion
Oliver Sacks