BELIEVING

A new book about brain chemistry, neural systems, and the formation of beliefs from the scientist who brought to light serotonin's many crucial roles in human behavior.

A new book about brain chemistry, neural systems, and the formation of beliefs from the scientist who brought to light serotonin's many crucial roles in human behavior.

McGuire recounts his investigation on the latest contributions of philosophers, historians, cognitive psy¬chologists, theologians, evolutionary biologists, and brain scientists. He also draws on his own research on the role of serotonin. Each discipline has something enlightening to offer, but none is sufficient.

However, nowhere is there a more complete or entertaining summary of current knowledge on belief. And surprises abound.

McGuire addresses features suggested in Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman and The Believing Brain by Michael Shermer but in their work, the biological mechanisms responsible remain to be specified. It is these that McGuire addresses.

Michael McGuire is a psychiatrist by training, a neuroscientist by occupation and a preeminent figure in brain-behavior research. He is author or coauthor of 5 books, notably Darwinian Psychiatry, and God's Brain. His research findings on serotonin levels and its links to dominance in vervet monkeys has been featured in the New York Times and Newsweek. His distinguished academic career includes positions at Harvard Medical School, University of California Medical School , Director UCLA's non-human primate research facility for 20 years and Director, Gruter Institute of Law and Behavior.