The Man Who Wasn’t There: Summary Review
This is a summary review of The Man Who Wasn't There containing key details about the book.
What is The Man Who Wasn't There About?
"The Man Who Wasn't There" by Anil Ananthaswamy is a non-fiction book that explores the concept of self and consciousness from a neuroscientific and philosophical perspective.
The Man Who Wasn't There offers an intimate look at the latest neuroscience of schizophrenia, autism, Alzheimer’s disease and Cotard’s syndrome, among others, to reveal the power of the human sense of self. Extensive in-depth interviews venture into the lives of individuals who offer remarkable and sometimes heart-wrenching insights. One man cut off his own leg. Another became one with the universe. Where in the brain, or mind, or body is the self actually located? As the author reports: neuroscientists now themselves see that the elusive sense of self is both everywhere and nowhere in the brain.
Summary Points & Takeaways from The Man Who Wasn't There
Some key summary points and takeaways from the book include:
* The self is not a single entity but a collection of processes in the brain that interact to create a sense of self.
* Consciousness is not a single entity either, but is a result of interactions between different parts of the brain.
* The brain is constantly making predictions about the world and filling in gaps in our perception, leading to the creation of a stable, consistent perception of the world.
* The sense of self is not fixed but can be changed through experiences, such as near-death experiences, brain injuries, and neuroplasticity.
* The concept of free will is called into question by the fact that our behavior is influenced by factors beyond our conscious control, such as genetics, environment, and unconscious biases.
* The idea of a fixed self is challenged by neuroplasticity, the process by which the brain changes in response to experiences and training.
* The relationship between the brain and consciousness is still not fully understood, and much more research is needed to shed light on this complex and fascinating subject.
* Overall, "The Man Who Wasn't There" provides a fascinating and thought-provoking exploration of the self, consciousness, and the workings of the brain.
Who is the author of The Man Who Wasn't There?
Anil Ananthaswamy is an award-winning journalist and former staff writer and deputy news editor for the London-based New Scientist magazine. He has been a guest editor for the science writing program at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and organizes and teaches an annual science journalism workshop at the National Centre for Biological Sciences in Bengaluru, India.
Book details
- Print length: 320 pages
- Genre: Nonfiction, Science, Psychology
What do critics say?
Here's what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: “Anil Ananthaswamy’s exploration of the human ‘self’ is a blazingly original excursion through the brain—as well as a fascinating catalog of bizarre disorders.” — Entertainment Weekly
* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you want to enhance your personal growth, I recommend checking out my list of favorite personal growth books. These books have played a significant role in my life, and each one includes a summary and takeaways to help you apply the concepts.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
