Brain and Perception

This insightful volume explores neural processes in perception, integrating research findings and offering a fresh perspective on brain function through a structured lecture format.

Presented as a series of lectures, Brain and Perception achieves four major goals that contribute significantly to our understanding of neural processes. First, it integrates the author's research on pattern perception, reviewing contemporary brain research to highlight how various lines of inquiry converge, leading to a paradigm shift in our comprehension of the neural basis of figural perception. This synthesis of knowledge is crucial for grasping the complexities of how we perceive shapes and forms.

Second, the book updates the holographic hypothesis of brain function in relation to perception, providing fresh insights into how our brains process information. It emphasizes that both distributed (holistic) and localized (structural) processes are essential characteristics of brain function, offering a more nuanced view of cognitive processes.

Lastly, Brain and Perception presents a neural systems analysis of brain organization in figural perception using computational models. This section describes processing patterns through formal methods that have been beneficial in organizing data within 20th-century physical and engineering sciences. The lectures are structured into three main parts: a Prolegomenon that outlines the theoretical framework, Part I focusing on configural aspects, and Part II addressing cognitive elements. Collaborative appendices by the author and colleagues further enrich the content, making this volume a valuable resource for those interested in the intersection of neuroscience and perception.