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RE: [xmca] Fwd: "The Tip of the Hippocampus"(!)
Greg,
Maybe it "feels icky" because it reeks of social and biological determinism. No one likes the idea that actions are predetermined by biology because it "feels" like we are front and center in making decisions for ourselves ;). What is the point if it is all chemistry? I haven't listened to the story, Greg, but there is difference between taking factors into consideration like social circumstance and neurochemistry and alleviating one of responsibility for his or her actions.
Monica
-----Original Message-----
From: xmca-bounces@weber.ucsd.edu [mailto:xmca-bounces@weber.ucsd.edu] On Behalf Of Greg Thompson
Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2012 9:27 PM
To: lchcmike@gmail.com; eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity
Subject: Re: [xmca] Fwd: "The Tip of the Hippocampus"(!)
And very closely related, I heard author Paul Tough out here on RadioWest last week and was really troubled by it. He weds neuro-discourses with "character" education (but in a different guise). The radio show turned out to be not as painful as I had expected, but painful nonetheless.
His big argument was an argument that I always find fascinating because it sounds good but also feels very, well, icky. The argument goes like this:
people in bad circumstances (think "inner-city" America) have their brain chemistry affected by the terrible circumstances that they live in. As a result, we shouldn't blame them for their inability to exhibit intentional control over their actions (e.g., their tendency to "fly off the handle").
What do others think?
His book is titled How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, and it is currently #222 on Amazon's list of bestselling books.
The audio for the program that I heard can be found at:
http://radiowest.kuer.org/post/how-children-succeed
Anyway, I'd love to hear other's thoughts, esp. with the problematic nature of this discourse. It feels icky, but I can't quite put my finger on why.
Would appreciate others' criticisms and concerns.
-greg
On Sun, Nov 25, 2012 at 11:51 AM, mike cole <lchcmike@gmail.com> wrote:
> This article from the NY Times was forwarded it to me. I thought it
> might be of interest to others on the list.
> mike
>
>
> Date: 2012/11/25
> Subject: "The Tip of the Hippocampus"(!)
>
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--
Gregory A. Thompson, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Anthropology
883 Spencer W. Kimball Tower
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602
http://byu.academia.edu/GregoryThompson
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