Philosophy, Psychiatry and Neuroscience--Three Approaches to the Mind: A Synthetic Analysis of the Varieties of Human Experience

By Edward M. Hundert

Book Overview

In this book Hundert proposes a new, unified view of the mind, one that integrates the insights of philosophers, psychologists, and neuroscientists. Through a detailed discussion of major theories from these and related disciplines, he gradually reveals links between what were previously
unconnected approaches to human thought and experience.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0198248962
• ISBN13: 9780198248965
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

excellent

Hundert is a dialectical thinker, always looking for ways to synthesize the many "thesis" and "antithesis" found both within and between the fields that he carefully addresses. This is his main strength. How can the study of Kant and Hegel enrich our understanding of 20th century developmental psychology and psychoanalysis, or how does the late neuroscience inform us about the same problems philosophers have been struggling with for ages - the difference between perception and cognition, relations of memory and self-consciousness...? In his Synthetic Analysis, Hundert follows carefully these different threads of thought from the beginning of modern philosophy (Descartes) through Kant, Hegel, existential psychiatrists (Jaspers, Minkowski), Piaget and many others up to our days of rapidly developing neuroscience (Hubel & Wiesel, Fodor, Edelman), offering an instructive and constructive inter-critique of each to the benefit of others, tying up seemingly remote areas of investigation without getting too lost or complicated on the way. Don't get me wrong, its not always a joyride unless you have an equally profound and balanced understanding in the fields he discusses. I had some struggling with philosophy and the last chapter of neuroscience, being previously informed primarily in psychology myself. But it was more than worth it, and I feel much better "equipped" to face the complexities of each of these disciplines. Easily among the best scholarly works I've read!

a thoroughly enjoyable treatment of a very complex subject

I heartily agree with the editorial reviews written above. Hundert is a very good writer. He has brought three crucial subjects of study together in a highly informative discussion that would benefit any worker in the mental health profession. What I found most enlightening was his focus on avoidable mistakes by professional practioners. The mistakes are easily corrected by basic philosophical analyses. While it may be understandable that the book has gone out of print (since professionals are rarely interested in having their mistakes pointed out to them), I hope this gifted writing keeps writing.