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Monday, November 5, 2007 12:00 AM

I feel your pain

New proof of "mirror neurons" explains why we experience the grief and joy of others, and maybe why humans are altruistic. But don't call us Gandhi yet.

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  • Sunday, November 4, 2007 07:26 PM

    It Doesn't Sound Like Buddhism...

    It sounds like neurobiology. Nothing wrong with science, but in this instance I think I have to throw in with Gopnik, in that the theory doesn't come near to explaining consciousness and the things which descend from consciousness. Of course I have my own neurobiological theories, which I suspect I'd be wise to keep to myself, but if nothing else this sort of science tends to do something anti-human, which is to "Split the Lark" as Dickinson wrote. I suppose understanding the intracacies of the human brain are necessary and useful, but I'm not sure any one person could utilize this particular knowlege to a good end. As with the lark in the poem, once split open to find the origin of its song, the entire, wondrous thing is lost, lark, song, beauty, wonder -- and to what end? I'm not certain and I'm not sure I'd be willing to bet the farm on it, even if it were certain.

    We can always explain everything away as brain chemistry and synapses firing, but I'm not sure I'd want to live in a world so Vulcanized. I rather prefer my science stick to performing "miracles" which make us better able to enjoy our wonderment at how little we really know.

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