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Decisions, Uncertainty and the Brain: The Science of Neuroeconomics (Bradford Books)

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Decisions, Uncertainty and the Brain: The Science of Neuroeconomics (Bradford Books) (Hardcover)

by Paul W. Glimcher (Author)

4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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Product details

Hardcover: 395 pages
Publisher: Bradford Books (25 Feb 2003)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0262072440
ISBN-13: 978-0262072441
Product Dimensions: 23.3 x 16.1 x 2.9 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 1,375,377 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Review

"The book presents an extraordinary, thought-provoking, challenging, and immensely charming account of present and future neuroscience." -- Wolfram Schultz, "Science"

Product Description

In this work, Paul Glimcher argues that economic theory may provide an alternative to the classical Cartesian model of the brain and behavior. Ren Descartes (1596-1650) believed that all behaviors could be divided into two categories, the simple and the complex. Simple behaviors were those in which a given sensory event gave rise deterministically to an appropriate motor response. Complex behaviors were those in which the relationship between stimulus and response was unpredictable. These behaviors were the product of a process that Descartes called the soul, but that a modern scientist might call cognition or volition. Glimcher argues that Cartesian dualism operates from the false premise that the reflex is able to describe behavior in the real world that animals inhabit. A mathematically rich cognitive theory, he claims, could solve the most difficult problems that any environment could present, eliminating the need for dualism by eliminating the need for a reflex theory. Such a mathematically rigorous description of the neural processes that connect sensation and action, he explains, will have its roots in microeconomic theory. Economic theory allows physiologists to define both the optimal course of action that an animal might select and a mathematical route by which that optimal solution can be derived. Glimcher outlines what an economics-based cognitive model might look like and how one would begin to test it empirically. Along the way, he presents a fascinating history of neuroscience. He also discusses related questions about determinism, free will, and the stochastic nature of complex behavior.

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4.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Intro, but I wanted more, 24 April 2008

By	Mr. SD Halliday "Economics Grad Student" (Siena, Italy; Cape Town, South Africa; London, England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Decisions, Uncertainty, and the Brain: The Science of Neuroeconomics (A Bradford Book) (Paperback)

This book constitutes an incredibly good review of the history of neuroscience from Descartes, Pavlov and early theories of the brain and reflexes to more modern interpretations of the brain, neurons, neural networks, etc. It introduces the idea of neuroeconomics in a manner suitable to the layperson. If that is what Glimcher was setting out to do, then this book has achieved exactly that.

However, I believe that as a discussion of 'decisions and uncertainty' the book could have used more formalism in expressing some of its arguments, specifically in possible theories of how and why things work in the way proposed by the author. Admittedly, I could be asking too much of the field at this point as it is still in its early stages of development, but occasionally I wanted more than anecdotes and discussions of papers that the author and his co-workers had written. Again, maybe I am expecting too much, but I had thought that Neuroeconomics had accomplished more.

Thus, in my 'layperson' hat, I think the book was great. It revealed a lot of theory that I would not likely have read otherwise, though being interested in and having read of specific individuals previously.

However, in my 'economist grad student' hat, I wanted something more. It definitely warrants more research. Moreover, the fact that the book supports inter-disciplinary research and the rigour of it generally far outweighs these slight shortcomings.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A layman's introduction to the science of neuroeconomics, 12 Dec 2007

By	Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract.com" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This book offers an outstanding survey of philosophy, psychology, brain science, economics, and the field that brings them all together, neuroeconomics. Paul W. Glimcher contends that Descartes' deterministic theory that simple behavior operates according to reflexes is influential far beyond its merits. He describes numerous experiments that support a very different understanding of behavior, which says that organisms seeking to fulfill their own goals (mostly to perpetuate their genes) must "choose" behaviors that somehow account for risk and return. In other words, they maximize "inclusive fitness" under conditions of uncertainty. Laboratory experiments and field research by behavioral ecologists lend considerable support to this view. We recommend this solid, layman's introduction to neuroeconomics and a remarkable series of discoveries.

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