Within Reason: Rationality and Human Behavior

by Donald B. Calne

Book Overview

It has long been a central conviction of western humanistic thought that reason is the most godlike of human traits, and that it makes us unique among animals. Yet if reason directs what we do, why is human behavior so often violent, irrational and disastrous? In Within Reason , leading neurologist Donald B. Calne investigates the phenomenon of rationality from an astonishingly wide array of scientific, sociological, and philosophical perspectives--and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375703225
• ISBN13: 9780375703225
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A Major intellectual Achievement

Following the inextriciable link of brain and mind, Calne has pursued the application of reason to language, social and individual behavior, ethics commerce, religion, art and science. This broad canvas provides the background for his erudition and for his uncanny ability to make complicated sibkects absolutely clear. Lewis P Rowland M.D.

Good, even with its flaws

Look, this is not the most well-written book (Calne is a scientist after all, not a writer). It's not the best page-turner either.But the reason this is a good book is because of its thesis and subsequent discussion of rationality and its psychological correlates. There aren't enough books out there that deal with this, so it's a swig of cold water to read this one.Of course, David Hume came to these same conclusions almost 4 centuries ago. The insight is not what's original, but the attempt to anchor it within the scientific (rather than philosophic) framework is. The implications of the idea that Reason is just a tool for getting what we want are significant for philosophy (especially ethics and political philosophy). Read the book; skim it if necessary, but it is worth your money.

A fascinating, refreshing read!

Within Reason is one of the most stimulating books I've read in some time. Dr. Calne discusses issues surrounding the brain (still one of life's great mysteries) that most of us either take for granted or haven't even begun to consider. His writings draw from an impressive range of sources: scientific, medical, historical, cultural, sociological, religious and beyond. Furthermore, his warm and lucid writing style is exceptionally readable.Whether or not one agrees with each and every one of Dr. Calne's views is not the issue. For me, this book's greatest value lies in its ability to explain abstract concepts involving the brain, reason and human behaviour and to generate considerable thought and conversation. This is a book written by an important neurologist and researcher who is not simply talking to himself and his peers -- he is talking to me, the layperson.

A book that makes you think about thinking and read more.

If you are looking for a good read that makes you think about how you think and pushes you to read a lot more this is it. As you contemplate the examples Calne provides,you will find yourself wanting to branch out and investigate this fascinating area. Within Reason was within my budget, but the books I've ordered as a result are stretching it. However, I'll bet it fills my vacation days with enough reading and stimulation to refresh me.

An assessment of the role of reason in our lives.

At last, a new, non-technical work that examines the role of rationality (vs. emotionality) in determining human behavior. Donald Calne has written a readable and thorough study of the role of reason in religion, commerce, government, the arts, science, and behavior. He ponders the nature of the human mind and where it dwells. This is a fascinating work, lucidly written so that it is easily accessible to the lay reader, in which the author provides an elaborate reference work to the writings of many great philosophers on these subjects. Highly recommended to all those interested in the nature of human consiousness, and the extent to which rational thought rules our actions.