What is good and evil? How do we distinguish one from the other? Is conscience inherent in man by nature, or is it the fruit of upbringing and environment? Patricia Churchland, the founder of neurophilosophy, considers these eternal questions through the prism of biology and philosophy. The author confidently guides us through the labyrinths of the latest discoveries in neuroscience, genetics, evolution, psychology, psychiatry, anthropology, economics, politics and philosophy, explaining how patterns of behavior are formed in different social groups and cultures. Turning to evolution, she shows why a child's brain is wired from the very first days to form emotional bonds, cooperation and care. Turning to philosophy, she explores why the concept of conscience plays a central role in any society, how moral principles are passed down from generation to generation, and why moral standards are not the same in different cultures. With her unsurpassed ability to link ideas across different planes, Patricia Churchland brings us to a new perspective on a complex topic that touches on the very essence of what makes us human.
