Neuroscience Notes

Stephen Gislason MD

mar, 2018 · Persona Philosophy and Psychology 5-kitob · Persona Digital Books

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In this book, I have selected topics that are representative of neuroscience inquiry, retaining brief references to a larger context that includes the study of neurology, anthropology, paleontology, computer science and philosophy. There have been several attempts to develop a "theory" of brain function that incorporates a large collection of observations, experimental results and a growing understanding of the innate features of human nature. I doubt that a single theory is feasible and suggest that the goal is integration of knowledge from diverse disciplines into a comprehensive understanding of who we are and why we are the way we are.

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 Philosophy, Psychology & Neuroscience

Dr. Gislason had an early start in the study of philosophy and neuroscience. At age 16, he decided his main life task would be to pursue understanding the human mind. In the intervening years, he studied neuroanatomy, neurotransmitters, electronics, computer science, neuropsychology and at the same time he studied Buddhist philosophy and practiced a variety of meditation techniques. His medical career veered toward general practice in rural areas, because he wanted to live outside urban environments and loved the natural world of British Columbia. He attributes much of his education to living in close relationship with the pacific ocean, with wind, waves, plankton, fish, sea mammals and ocean birds." They taught me about life, minds, communication, networks and the interconnections of all living things." In 2000, he resumed his study of neuroscience topics and began assembling notes from over 30 years of study and contemplation to write books in the Philosophy, Psychology and Neuroscience Series. The Book of Brain acts as a bridge between the practical and medical emphasis in the Health Education Series and the Philosophy Series. The first book in the Philosophy Series, Existence and the Human Mind (2005) was an introduction to the essential topics that link Philosophy, Psychology and Neuroscience. This large book became the parent of the entire Persona Digital series. The catalogue of  Persona books is continuously updated and can be downloaded as eBooks in the PDF format.

In his preface to the first book, Existence and the Human Mind, Dr. Gislason stated:

"As a physician- philosopher, I have many vantage points. I allow my vantage point to shift from a detached observer viewing planet earth from the safety of distant space to an intimate and personal discussion of what life is like for me on a daily basis. Often, I am describing a physician’s point of view since I have spent more than 40 years serving in that role. Sometimes I am a visiting anthropologist making notes in a neighborhood café. At other times, I am concerned about the confusions and misunderstandings so common among my family, friends and patients. At other times I am a paleontologist or evolutionary psychologist imagining what life was like on planet earth 100 million years ago or what humans were like 50,000 years ago. Sometimes I am free spirit, a mystic, wandering this planet alone without profession or social status, an animal among animals, in love with nature and the primal feel of existence."