47 pages • 1 hour read
V. S. RamachandranThe Tell-Tale Brain
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2011A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
In the Preface, Ramachandran states that “speaking of accuracy, let me be the first to point out that some of the ideas I present in this book are, shall we say, on the speculative side” (xvii). Why do some critics take issue with his use of speculation? How might he address these critics? Could Ramachandran have written a book on the human brain and mind without incorporating speculation? Why or why not?
Compare and contrast “small science” (Ramachandran’s approach) and “big science.” What are the strengths and weaknesses of each? Do you believe one approach is better than the other? Explain your reasoning using examples from the text and/or other famous scientific experiments.
Select three topics that Ramachandran explores in his book. How has the science surrounding these topics evolved since the book’s publication? Are some of Ramachandran’s theories still accurate? What are the implications of these recent advancements on our understanding of the human brain and mind?
Ramachandran believes that mirror neurons played a critical role in making us human. How has the scientific community’s thinking evolved on mirror neurons since the book’s publication? Are there other factors that may have played a bigger role in human evolution?
Ramachandran describes many case studies involving patients with neurological disorders. Select five of these disorders. How does studying disorders enhance our understanding of brain function and development?
How do the fields of anthropology, neuroscience, and linguistics describe the evolution of language? Where are there similarities and differences? What are the benefits and limitations of interdisciplinary approaches in studying language development?
The author believes that humans are getting closer to understanding the nature of self. How does the text define and explore the self? Do you believe that we will ever truly be able to understand this concept?
How has the book contributed to the philosophical and psychological debate on human consciousness and the concept of self? How have other scientists posed theories about the self that challenge or complicate the ideas offered in The Tell-Tale Brain?
A central tenant of the book is that humans are unique compared with other primates. What similarities do humans share with other primates? What traits make humans unique? Do all researchers who study human evolution agree with human uniqueness?
Many scientists struggle to write for a general audience, yet many believe it is becoming increasingly important to have a scientifically-literate populace. What are the pros and cons of popular science writing? How does Ramachandran use popular writing techniques to make his book more accessible to non-specialists? How does his work compare to other notable works in the genre?
