Explanation and Critical Thinking in the Neurosciences: Bridging the Gaps

While most programmes in neuroscience are understandably built around imparting foundational knowledge of cell biology, neurons, networks and physiology, there is less attention paid to critical perspectives on methods. This book addresses this gap by covering a broad array of topics including the philosophy of science, challenges of terminology and language, reductionism, and social aspects of science to challenge claims to explanation and understanding in neuroscience. Using examples from dominant areas of neuroscience research alongside novel material from systems that are less often presented, it promotes the general need of scientists (and non-scientists) to think critically. Chapters also explore translations between neuroscience and technology, artificial intelligence, education, and criminology. Featuring accessible material alongside further resources for deeper study, this work serves as an essential resource for undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology, neuroscience, and biological sciences, while also supporting researchers in exploring philosophical and methodological challenges in contemporary research.

Table of Contents:
List of Figures; Preface; 1. Introduction to Neuroscience Aims and Claims; 2. Falsification, Paradigms and Research Programs; 3. Logical Fallacies; 4. Knowledge, Explanation and Understanding; 5. Neurobiological Reduction; 6. Neuronal Circuits; 7. Claims to Understanding; 8. Experimental Tools in Neuroscience; 9. Translational Neuroscience; 10. The Sociology of (Neuro)science; Postscript; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.

About the Author :
David Parker is a neurophysiologist and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on critical thinking, as well as the philosophy and sociology of science. Dr. Parker has taught courses related to neurobiology and translational neuroscience for fifteen years.

Review :
'It's a virtual given among most scientists, especially the experts, that critical thinking skills “come with the territory”: that basic scientific training provides them. David Parker, a neuroscientist, challenges this assumption, and seeks in this wonderfully concise book to inculcate a realization in younger neuroscientists of the need to acquire these skills, and a manner to do so. Three cheers!' John Bickle, Professor of Philosophy and Shackouls Honors College Faculty, Mississippi State University, and Scientist-Educator, Department of Advanced Biomedical Education, University of Mississippi Medical Center  'David Parker's book is a life-saving intellectual manual for young neuroscientists; older ones are likely beyond help. The book follows in the footsteps of scientific career advice classics by Cajal and Medawar but goes well beyond them in terms of scope and thoroughness. Here he provides what is nothing less than a sorely needed short course in critical thinking at a time of massive hype at the intersection of neuroscience, neurotechnology and AI. Parker provides superb precis of logical fallacies and of pertinent history and philosophy of science; focusing on reductionism, mechanism, explanation and understanding. He goes on to address that current object of worship, the neural circuit, as well as the debate over tools versus theories, and our present lamentable state of distorted career incentives. The book is both diagnosis and antidote, the neuroscience field should be very grateful for it, but some of its leaders, I am pleased to say, will surely be infuriated.' John W. Krakauer, John C. Malone Professor, Professor of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and External Professor, Santa Fe Institute 'This work is the clearest introduction to the limitations of neuroscience that I know. Years of reflection have afforded David Parker tremendous insight, making his book indispensable to anyone with an interest in the current state of his field. Explanation and Critical Thinking in the Neurosciences ranks alongside John Horgan's The Undiscovered Mind, Anne Harrington's Mind Fixers, and Matthew Cobb's The Idea of the Brain as the best assessments of the sciences of the mind.' Gabriel Finkelstein, Associate Professor of History, University of Colorado Denver