Mind and the World

In the introduction Sir Russell Brain states as the thesis of this book " that it is possible to accept all the new knowledge which neurophysiology and psychology can provide and yet preserve the mind's autonomy in its own sphere." That is a very arresting statement to make at a time when we are assailed by so many assertions to the contrary, assertions which are also claimed to be based on the "new knowledge." Sir Russell Brain's philosophical position of dualism is virtually indistinguishable from that of Sherrington and is likewise based on a very clear understanding of the role of neurophysiological events in perception. An attractive feature of the book is the effective use that is made of concrete illustrations in the argument, which is thus given a lucidity that is as unusual as it is welcome in this perplexing field. Chapters 4, 5, and 6 make particularly good reading, and, in his deft handling of the concepts of " perceptual world " and " physical world," Sir Russell Brain has made an important contribution that should clear up many old controversies and confusions in the field of perception. To some extent Chapter 1 is also on the same theme, but was written several years earlier, and is much less satisfactory. The criticism of physiological idealism is not convincing and in fact is largely answered in Chapters 5 and 6, where it is shown that physiological idealism can be developed so that such a process as projection becomes intelligible. Comparison of the first with these later chapters gives a measure of the progress that Sir Russell Brain has made, and gives hope that we may expect further valuable contributions from him. In particular one hopes that his success with perception will tempt him into the field of will, the "I-doing " of Sherrington. The last chapter, on the " Status of Mind," is in the form of a dialogue between author and reader, and gives the author a chance to develop some new arguments and in particular to attack the views that Professor G. Ryle develops in his book The Concept of Mind. Again one is impressed by the effectiveness with which some philosophical arguments are demolished by reference to the neurophysiological processes concerned in perception. In conclusion, this book is strongly recommended to all who take an intelligent interest in the problems of the nature of man and his relationship to the world. It can be read by those who have no technical knowledge of neurology. J. C. ECCLES.