Viskontas I. Brain Myths Exploded: Lessons from Neuroscience

Chantilly: The Teaching Company, 2017. — 232 p.We are repeatedly told that one of the keys to a meaningful life is understanding why we do the things we do. Why is it, then, that so many myths about how our brains function persist? Why are our own minds so often misunderstood by their inhabitants? Is it just that the brain is too complicated? Will we ever grasp how it works, or is that understanding simply beyond our intellectual abilities? These are the questions that this
course is designed to address.
As the pace of neuroscience research quickens and the sheer volume of findings explodes, it has never been more important to separate fact from fiction, reality from hyperbole. We are entering an age in which knowing ourselves will not only satisfy our intellectual curiosity, but will give us the tools to reach amazing heights, as we begin to use this knowledge to stave off diseases, develop expertise, and surpass previous generations in feats of all kinds. And this revolution is coming not a minute too soon, as so many more of us attain old age and the problems we face on this planet
reach epic proportions.
The course will address both myths and mysteries of the brain, exchanging outdated or outright incorrect ideas for cutting-edge insights. Along the way, you will wonder at this magnificently complex organ, from which emerges our every experience, emotion, and intention. You will use one of our most powerful cognitive tools — the ability to recognize patterns — to understand how tiny cells, with their binary electrochemical signals, can provide us with the ability to love one another, master the violin, imagine any kind of future, and engage our brains in seemingly infinite ways.Is Your Brain Perfectly Designed?
Are Bigger Brains Smarter?
Is Mental Illness Just a Chemical Imbalance?
Are Creative People Right-Brained?
How Different Are Male and Female Brains?
How Accurate Is Your Memory?
Do You Only Use 10% of Your Brain?
Do You Perceive the World as It Really Is?
Is Your Brain Too Smart for Magic Tricks?
Is Your Brain Objective?
Do You Have 5 Independent Senses?
Can Certain Foods Make You Smarter?
Can Brain Games Make You Smarter?
Does Your Brain Shut Down during Sleep?
Are Your Decisions Rational?
Are You Always Conscious while Awake?
Are Other Animals Conscious?
Can You Multitask Efficiently?
Are Dreams Meaningful?
Can Brain Scans Read Your Mind?
Can Adult Brains Change for the Better?
Do Special Neurons Enable Social Life?
Is Your Brain Unprejudiced?
Does Technology Make You Stupid?