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The Reith Lectures

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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Significant international thinkers deliver the BBC's flagship annual lecture series.

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The Reith Lectures: Vilayanur S. Ramachandran - The Emerging Mind: Phantoms in the Brain

Vilayanur S. Ramachandran - The Emerging Mind

02/04/2003

Phantoms in the Brain

BBC Radio 4 - The Reith Lectures, Vilayanur S. Ramachandran - The Emerging Mind, Phantoms in the Brain

Professor Ramachandran discusses the functionality of the brain in relation to neurology.

Professor Ramachandran argues that by studying neurological syndromes we can sometimes acquire novel insights into the functions of the normal brain.

This year's Reith Lecturer is Vilayanur S Ramachandran, Director of the Centre for Brain and Cognition. He has lectured widely on art and visual perception of the brain and is Editor-in-chief of the Encyclopaedia of Human Behaviour. Professor Ramachandran's work has concentrated on investigating phenomena such as phantom limbs, anosognosia and anorexia nervosa. 

Professor Ramachandran begins his Reith Lecture series on 'The Emerging Mind' by arguing that scientists need no longer be afraid to ask the big questions about what it means to be human. With empirical evidence, science can now answer ancient philosophical questions about meaning and existence. By studying neurological syndromes that have been largely ignored as curiosities or mere anomalies, we can sometimes acquire novel insights into the functions of the brain. Many of the functions of the brain, he says, are best understood from an evolutionary vantage point. 

The Reith Lectures: Vilayanur S. Ramachandran - The Emerging Mind

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Neuroscientist Vilayanur Ramachandran delivers the 2003 Reith Lectures.

Neuroscientist Vilayanur Ramachandran, Director of the Centre for Brain and Cognition at the University of California, lectures on new insights into the human brain's workings.

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