Neuroscientist and New York Times Bestselling Author David Eagleman Will Lecture at the Baylor Law Center

October 8, 2013
David Eagleman

David Eagleman courtesy photo

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WACO, Texas (Oct. 8, 2013) - Baylor University Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Davis will host a lecture by New York Times best-selling author, David Eagleman, Ph.D. '98, on "The Brain and the Law," Thursday, Oct. 10.
Eagleman is a neuroscientist and the director of the Laboratory for Perception and Action at the Baylor College of Medicine, where he also directs the Initiative on Neuroscience and Law. His work of fiction, "SUM," is an international bestseller published in 27 languages. His latest book, the New York Times bestseller "Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain," explores the neuroscience behind the conscious and unconscious mind - in other words, neural functions we are and aren't aware of.
"Emerging questions at the interface of law and neuroscience challenge fundamental notions at the heart of our criminal justice system," Eagleman writes. "Are all brains really created equal? Is mass incarceration the most fruitful method to deal with juveniles, the mentally ill and the drug-addicted? . . .
"I will address these and other issues through the lens of Baylor College of Medicine's Initiative on Neuroscience and Law, which brings together a unique collaboration of neurobiologists, legal scholars and policy makers, with the goal of building modern, evidence-based policy."
Eagleman is a Guggenheim Fellow, a Next Generation Texas Fellow, a council member on the World Economic Forum, a research fellow in the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies and a board member of The Long Now Foundation. He is an academic editor for several scientific journals, and has been named one of 2012's Brightest Idea Guys by Italy's Style magazine. He is the scientific advisor for the television drama "Perception," and has been profiled on the "Colbert Report," "NOVA Science Now," The New Yorker, CNN's "Next List" and many other venues. He appears regularly on radio and television to discuss literature and science.
Eagleman's lecture will take place at 3:30 p.m. in Room 127 of the Umphrey Law Center, 1114 S. University Parks Drive.
by Rachel Miller, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

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