Category Archives: Neuroscience

PLACEBO

Posted on June 20, 2019 by

I like to think of myself as a reasonably intelligent person. After all I have had a long life, following a Jesuit education, married for 60 years, five children and a career in high level finance. I am confident that … Continue reading →

Posted in Bio-ethics, Catholic Herald columns, Neuroscience, Quentin queries | Tagged | 28 Comments

The Brain Chart

Posted on May 23, 2019 by

Some 50 years ago my son came to me for help. He was preparing for his A-level history examination. But his mind was so cluttered with facts that he feared he could never compress them into an examination answer. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Neuroscience, Quentin queries, Uncategorized | 13 Comments

Mindful

Posted on December 27, 2018 by

As we approach the New Year we are reminded of the opportunity of choosing new resolutions. Today I want to describe the skill of mindfulness. Some of you will already be using it regularly, but I think you will agree … Continue reading →

Posted in Neuroscience, Quentin queries | 16 Comments

Are you an addict?

Posted on December 20, 2018 by

Fixed odds betting terminals have been much in the news. Recently the Government, under pressure, has brought forward a new regulation which stipulates a maximum bet of £2 a ‘throw’. Currently the maximum bet is £100, and a focussed gambler … Continue reading →

Posted in Moral judgment, Neuroscience, Quentin queries | 25 Comments

The patterns of the brain

Posted on August 30, 2018 by

No, I do not intend to write about Brexit, but I am interested in the process of decision we had to undertake before the referendum. I wanted to make an intelligent choice but all I was getting was acres of … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic Herald columns, evolution, Moral judgment, Neuroscience | 1 Comment

Burka — the real problem

Posted on August 9, 2018 by

So Boris Johnson is in trouble again. His comment on Muslim women wearing burkas as looking like bank robbers or letter boxes has caused enough stir even to knock Brexit off the front pages. I am no particular fan of … Continue reading →

Posted in evolution, Moral judgment, Neuroscience | 15 Comments

Attachment and loss

Posted on June 28, 2018 by

I dropped in on my old friend Denise for a cup of coffee. What I saw was a marvellous example of human nature. She was looking after her grandniece, a child under two. I simply watched. In between our conversation … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic Herald columns, evolution, Neuroscience | 16 Comments