Projections

Více o knize

In this groundbreaking exploration of the human mind, a renowned psychiatrist and neuroscientist delves into the biological and evolutionary origins of human emotions through poignant clinical stories. Karl Deisseroth, a pioneer of optogenetics, uses this innovative technique to illuminate the brain's inner workings while sharing his deep empathy for patients. He examines how mental illness reveals insights about the mind and the origins of human feelings, illustrating how the broken can shed light on the unbroken. As a professor of bioengineering and psychiatry at Stanford, Deisseroth's true passion lies in clinical psychiatry, with patient stories forming the backbone of his narrative. Through these case studies, he uncovers the physical and biological roots of human emotion, vividly depicting how feelings arise from both primitive brain circuits and the complexities of daily suffering. The narratives of his patients are rich with humanity, revealing the self's fragility. A young woman with an eating disorder shows the mind's rebellion against basic drives, while an older man, silenced by depression, highlights the evolution of joy and its absence. A lonely Uyghur woman emphasizes the significance of social bonds. This illuminating work transforms our understanding of the brain as both a biological and emotional entity.