An Argument for Mind

In this elegantly written book, Jerome Kagan melds the history of the field of psychology during the past 50 years with the story of his own research efforts of the same period and an analysis of what he terms 'the currently rocky romance between psychology and biology'. As Kagan unwinds his own history, he reveals the seminal events that have shaped his career and discusses how his assumptions have changed. With full appreciation for the contributions to psychology of history, philosophy, literature and neuroscience, he approaches a wide range of fascinating topics, including: the abandonment of orthodox forms of behaviourism and psychoanalysis; the forces that inspired later-twentieth-century curiosity about young children; why B. F. Skinner chose to study psychology; why the study of science less often ignites imaginations today; our society's obsession with erotic love; and, the resurgence of religious fanaticism and the religious Right. Embedded in Kagan's discussions is a rejection of the current notion that a mature neuroscience will eventually replace psychology. He argues that a complete understanding of brain is not synonymous with a full explanation of mind, and he concludes with a brief prediction of the next five decades in the field of psychology.

About the Author :
Jerome Kagan is professor of psychology emeritus, Harvard University. He was director of the Mind/Brain/Behaviour Interfaculty Initiative at Harvard and is the author of numerous books, including Birth to Maturity, published by Yale University Press.

Review :
"Written with masterly clarity and accessibility, Kagan's history of a young science and of his own contributions to it will inspire and enrich...."-Publishers Weekly "Jerome Kagan's book has more wisdom in it than any book I've read in the last few years, or maybe, more than any ever." Robert J. Sternberg, Yale University, editor of "Why SmartPeople Can Be So Stupid" --Robert C. Sternberg" "One of the great living psychologists today reflects back on a distinguished fifty year career probing many of psychology s most central and thorny questions.Jerome Kagan is a scholar of unusual breadth who brings to bear his appreciation of history and context to our understanding of the unique properties of the human mind.Kagan s penetrating analysis of mind and brain is a must read for contemporary studentsof bothpsychology and neuroscience who often fail to appreciate the constraints imposed by context on the inferences that can be drawn from experimental findings." Richard Davidson, University of Wisconsin, Madison --Richard Davidson" "This wonderful book weaves into a single strand the intellectual trajectory of a remarkable psychologist and the trajectory of his discipline over the same half century. Jerome Kagan did as much as anyone to shape the direction of psychology over that span of time, and the field, in turn, helped shape Jerome Kagan in ways he recounts with his usual combination of grace, incisiveness, and wisdom. His is a rare and special mind." Kai Erikson, Yale University --Kai Erikson" "Jerome Kagan''s book has more wisdom in it than any book I''ve read in the last few years, or maybe, more than any ever."--Robert J. Sternberg, Yale University, editor of "Why Smart People Can Be So Stupid" --Robert C. Sternberg " Written with masterly clarity and accessibility, Kagan' s history of a young science and of his own contributions to it will inspire and enrich...." -- "Publishers Weekly"