The Tell-Tale Brain

In the Preface, Ramachandran states that “speaking of accuracy, let me be the first to point out that some of the ideas I present in this book are, shall we say, on the speculative side” (xvii). Why do some critics take issue with his use of speculation? How might he address these critics? Could Ramachandran have written a book on the human brain and mind without incorporating speculation? Why or why not?

Compare and contrast “small science” (Ramachandran’s approach) and “big science.” What are the strengths and weaknesses of each? Do you believe one approach is better than the other? Explain your reasoning using examples from the text and/or other famous scientific experiments.

Select three topics that Ramachandran explores in his book. How has the science surrounding these topics evolved since the book’s publication? Are some of Ramachandran’s theories still accurate? What are the implications of these recent advancements on our understanding of the human brain and mind?