Anam Cara: Spiritual Wisdom from the Celtic World - John O’Donohue (Copy)

Descartes’ Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain - Antonio R. Damasio

Neuroscientist Antonio Damasio challenges the traditional division between emotion and rational thought, arguing that feelings are essential to sound decision-making rather than obstacles to it. Drawing on neurological research and clinical case studies, including the famous case of Phineas Gage, whose personality changed after a severe brain injury, Damasio examines how damage to the brain’s emotional systems can undermine judgement and everyday reasoning. Combining neuroscience, psychology and philosophy, he explores the connections between emotion, consciousness, memory and human behaviour, offering an influential account of how the brain makes decisions.