Scan barcode
rodhilton's review
4.0
I've read a lot of books like Incognito, and this is one of the better ones. A healthy mix of anecdote, case study, and real science intermixed with engaging writing and storytelling. A lot of books about the brain veer too strongly in one direction, either extremely scientific but very dull, or very engaging but skipping on the science. Incognito walks a nice line.
I learned a whole lot reading this book, despite the fact that I've read so many books previously covering similar material and subject matter. What's more, David Eagleman goes beyond simply talking about science, and actually addresses the issues that his book raises. Rather than simply point out how much in control of our "minds" our biological brains are and move on, Eagleman actually addresses the issues these facts raise with regards to free will, determinism, and how crime, punishment, and incarceration should be treated. In fact, Eagleman does a better job of addressing these issues than Sam Harris's "Free Will", a book devoted ENTIRELY to that exact question.
Overall, Incognito is a very cohesive book, dealing with the science of how the brain works, the philosophical issues of free will and agency, and the political issues of punishment and blameworthiness. The book is not a purely objective scientific tome; Eagleman definitely has an agenda and a viewpoint he wishes to impart, but he makes compelling cases for his views and he does so within a very well-written and engaging framework.
If you're into these sorts of topics, Incognito is an excellent book, I highly recommend it.
I learned a whole lot reading this book, despite the fact that I've read so many books previously covering similar material and subject matter. What's more, David Eagleman goes beyond simply talking about science, and actually addresses the issues that his book raises. Rather than simply point out how much in control of our "minds" our biological brains are and move on, Eagleman actually addresses the issues these facts raise with regards to free will, determinism, and how crime, punishment, and incarceration should be treated. In fact, Eagleman does a better job of addressing these issues than Sam Harris's "Free Will", a book devoted ENTIRELY to that exact question.
Overall, Incognito is a very cohesive book, dealing with the science of how the brain works, the philosophical issues of free will and agency, and the political issues of punishment and blameworthiness. The book is not a purely objective scientific tome; Eagleman definitely has an agenda and a viewpoint he wishes to impart, but he makes compelling cases for his views and he does so within a very well-written and engaging framework.
If you're into these sorts of topics, Incognito is an excellent book, I highly recommend it.
wrxtacy's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
FRTC
unladylike's review against another edition
4.0
I found this one much more interesting than Eagleman's more recent [b:Livewired: The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain|51778153|Livewired The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain|David Eagleman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580794624l/51778153._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73419839], especially in the latter half when he addresses contemporary applications to law, criminal sentencing, recidivism, etc.
"I am as unlike myself as I am unlike anyone else" - paraphrase from some French essayist who quit everything and spent the rest of his life writing about himself
Statistically significant correlations between the first letter of a person's name and their occupation or partner's name, and a person's birthday and their perception of famous people who they are told share the same birthday were also interesting.
Disclaimer: the whole book is extremely heteronormative and obviously coming from a white cis man. There were many points at which a broader perspective (i.e. from queer, trans, Black, indigenous) would have enhanced the book greatly.
"I am as unlike myself as I am unlike anyone else" - paraphrase from some French essayist who quit everything and spent the rest of his life writing about himself
Statistically significant correlations between the first letter of a person's name and their occupation or partner's name, and a person's birthday and their perception of famous people who they are told share the same birthday were also interesting.
Disclaimer: the whole book is extremely heteronormative and obviously coming from a white cis man. There were many points at which a broader perspective (i.e. from queer, trans, Black, indigenous) would have enhanced the book greatly.
jlbates's review
3.0
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. Learning how the brain works and the competing systems is fascinating. The final two chapters were a bit of a let down as it started to focus on much more political topics. I understand why the author took it there, but having this knowledge of the brain would change and effect so many things in addition to the criminal justice system that the author could have focused on instead.
bethan182's review against another edition
3.0
I love a bit of pop sci, which is what the first part of the book offered (4/5 as a lot of the experiments I'd read in Freakonomics or Malcolm Gladwell books).
However, the second part of the book just felt too lecturing, it stopped being fun and was just plain boring (2/5).
However, the second part of the book just felt too lecturing, it stopped being fun and was just plain boring (2/5).
amith_hiremath's review
4.0
Incognito - The secret lives of the Brain by David Eagleman is a book that will change how we understand ourselves and our brain. It honestly requires a good amount of attention to reading but it is equally rewarding. Why do we behave the way we do? How don't perceive the idea of oneself? Why do we think in the way we do? How do our senses combine with our brain to give us our perception and what are the limitations of it. The factors that contribute to shaping up the complex nature of human behaviour and how various faculties of our personality interact and culminate into our behaviour. The author has written this primarily with a neurological perspective in the layman's language. The author tries to draw light on how we can shape up laws in treating criminals. Conventionally we treat criminals are rejected from society but we should also weigh all the factors and develop a way in which we can reform them to be incorporated into society as functional individuals. This is an eye-opener for anyone who wants to get a glimpse into the understanding of human behaviour and perception and their interactions. I am rating this book 4 out of 5 for its depth, insightfulness and sheer simple style of showing complex concepts and ideas.
mrsmobarak's review against another edition
4.0
Intriguing and thought-provoking; great connections between how the brain works and how we should handle such info.