There are many question around human being. Can we answer all question by study of brain? Or maybe we need another aspect of mankind for discover some mysteries.
I'm very eager to know that you believe in Monism or Dualism. And what is your reasons?
Well, I think the two parts of your of your first statement go hand in hand. You can't study the brain without an understanding of the behaviour that is a consequence of the neurons that are firing at that time. Equally, an understanding of how environment and culture shape our belief systems and our brains is vital if we are to make any sense of the flashing lights on fMRI images and ERP waveforms. I'm not sure I can give an all or nothing answer to your Monism/Dualism, in an expansive sense. If you are referring to the mind/body dualism then in my opinion it is difficult to separate the two in terms of everyday experience. I struggle with dualism as a concept in that all-or-nothing dichotomy is prevalent in society and begets ignorance if enforced too rigorously. For me, although I am inexperienced in the matters of philosophy expressed, Monism seems far too reductionist for my liking. I would rather lean toward a continuum of brain and mind, good or evil, et cetera and maintain objectivity and hold judgement over my own actions, decisions and interpretation based on the circumstances of the current event/findings rather than sit within one doctrine or state of mind. It can blind you
In order to avoid reinventing the wheel I personally would also suggest some basic reading, e.g.,
-Philosophy of Mind: A Beginner's Guide by Ian Ravenscroft
Some echos of the both controversial and inspiring, always ongoing debate can - amongst others - be found here:
-Mind and Cosmos: Why the Materialist Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature Is Almost Certainly False by Thomas Nagel
- Neurophilosophy: Toward a Unified Science of the Mind-Brain by Patricia S. Churchland
I think the contemporary stress on Neuropsychology is philosophically confused. The reason for this claim is that people are quick to look at brain activity and think that they are spotting a sensation, rather than a thought. All neuropsychologist see (and study) are the causing, necessary, and enabling conditions for thoughts, sensations, etc to occur. It goes without saying that these studies are extremely important for us to understand cognitive and behavioral processes.
check the idea of monism of dual aspect... is a quite useful concept developed by Solms and Tunrbull on his paper: what is neuropsychoanalysis
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