Abstract

Come to enjoy this interesting talk and join us for a wine reception afterwards. The talk is FREE for members and 2£ for non-members.

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This talk will be delivered by the former Chief Executive of the British Medical Research Council – currently Professor of Neuroscience at Oxford, specializing in vision and the development of the brain. He has been called “one of the most powerful scientists in the UK”.

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The human brain is big, but not as large as that of an elephant, some whales or even Neanderthal man. The fundamental features of our nerve cells and our cerebral cortex are very similar to those of a mouse. One after another, the so-called unique characteristics of human cognition have been demonstrated in other species (including in Scrub Jays, with tiny brains). Yet there clearly is something different about human beings. Elephants can’t talk. Scrub Jays haven’t invented science. And we got rid of Neanderthal man! So, what exactly is special about the human brain?