Hans Werbik

The sciences philosophy, psychology and neuroscience share the basis that all refer to the human being. Therefore, an interdisciplinary collaboration would be desirable. The exchange of criticism is an essential requirement for interdisciplinary collaboration. Criticism must be heard and – if possible – considered. Indeed, criticism can be valid or unwarranted. However, whether criticism is unwarranted can only emerge from discussion and conversation. In the discussion of cognitive neuroscience, some criticism can easily be considered (such as the mereological fallacy that represents that talking about the person is substituted with talking bout the brain). Another issue for an interdisciplinary discussion of cognitive neuroscience is the interpretation of the readiness potential including re-considering Benjamin Libet’s classic experiments. Additionally, a critical discussion on cognitive neuroscience must address ethical questions, such as the possibility of the abuse of neuroscientific insight.

The sciences philosophy, psychology and neuroscience share the basis that all refer to the human being. Therefore, an interdisciplinary collaboration would be desirable. The exchange of criticism is an essential requirement for interdisciplinary collaboration. Criticism must be heard and – if possible – considered. Indeed, criticism can be valid or unwarranted. However, whether criticism is unwarranted can only emerge from discussion and conversation. In the discussion of cognitive neuroscience, some criticism can easily be considered (such as the mereological fallacy that represents that talking about the person is substituted with talking bout the brain). Another issue for an interdisciplinary discussion of cognitive neuroscience is the interpretation of the readiness potential including re-considering Benjamin Libet’s classic experiments. Additionally, a critical discussion on cognitive neuroscience must address ethical questions, such as the possibility of the abuse of neuroscientific insight.

Den komplexen Bereich der menschlichen Aggression und Gewalt in leicht lesbarer, begreiflicher Form zu erkl ren und somit verstehbar zu machen, ist Ziel des vorliegenden Buches. Die Autoren geben einen abgewogenen, kritisch-wissenschaftlichen berblick ber die neurobiologischen Grundlagen und wesentlichen psychologischen Theorien der Aggressionsforschung, deren Befunde und praktischen Implikationen. Der theoretische Teil wird erg nzt durch Analysen zu praxisbezogenen Bereichen, speziell zum Neonatizid (Neugeborenent tung), Intimizid (Partnert tung) und Amok sowie zum Hooliganismus.

Der Psychologe Hans Werbik und der Philosoph Jens Kertscher gehen der Frage nach, ob wir Menschen rational sind. Die Fahigkeit, aus Grunden zu handeln, und aufgrund dieser Fahigkeit fur das eigene Tun zur Verantwortung gezogen werden zu konnen, gilt neben Sprache und Denken als paradigmatische Auspragung menschlicher Rationalitat. Ob und wie kann die auf die Antike zuruckgehende Bestimmung des Menschen als vernunftiges Wesenim Lichte aktueller philosophischer und psychologischer Forschung bestehen? Dieser Dialog findet erstaunliche Antworten.