The Political Brain: The Emergence of Neuropolitics

Neuropolitics is a field that combines neuroscience and politics to understand how the brain influences political behavior. Matt Qvortrup's book "The Political Brain" explores how fMRI scans can identify differences between liberals and conservatives, predict behavior, and explain the biology of uprisings, revolutions, and wars. It also shows how philosophical theories can be supported by brain scans and warns against relying on evolutionary primitive parts of the midbrain to avoid squandering the gains made through the last eight million years.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 120 pages
Publication date: 20 March 2024
Publisher: Central European University Press

Neuropolitics, a groundbreaking field that seamlessly blends neuroscience and politics, emerges as a captivating and occasionally unsettling realm in Matt Qvortrup's illuminating study. This thought-provoking exploration takes readers on a whirlwind journey through the intricate and often bewildering world of neuropolitics, a discipline that is increasingly being employed to shape electoral outcomes. By reclaiming the scientific essence of political science, The Political Brain unveils the remarkable capabilities of fMRI scans in discerning distinctions between liberals and conservatives, accurately predicting our behavior, and shedding light on the biological underpinnings of uprisings, revolutions, and wars. This comprehensive work goes beyond mere empirical evidence, seamlessly integrating philosophical theories such as those of Plato, Aristotle, and Spinoza with brain scan data. Furthermore, it offers a comprehensive overview of the cutting-edge knowledge surrounding the organ that profoundly influences our political landscapes. The book cautions against relying on our evolutionary primitive midbrain, which is activated during polarized political discourse, as it poses a risk of undoing the progress we have achieved over the past eight million years. Through its insightful revelations, The Political Brain empowers readers to navigate the complex terrain of contemporary politics with a deeper understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms that shape our beliefs, behaviors, and decision-making processes.

Weight: 174g
Dimension: 132 x 201 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789633866597