FORA.tv

Fuel the Enlightenment

Neuroscience and Sociology: David Brooks

Aspen Institute
Rate It
12,624 Views
  • Info
  • Bio
  • Full Program
  • Highlights
  • Transcript
  • Download
  • More
seidman Avatar
seidman
Posts: 0
Posted: 08.26.08, 06:18 PM
Neuroscience and Organizational Transformation
This was a great talk. I was particularly interested in the importance of the emotional connection to driving the learning process. While the importance of emotion to learning intuitively makes sense it is good to have this verified.

We have been applying the concepts of neuroscience to organizational transformation, mostly in the private sector. One of the challenges is to develop a repeatable structure that both allows for and guides human connection between people in otherwise dehumanizing organizations and also, surprisingly, between people and the emotional quality of visoinary goals. Presenting people with a sufficiently motivating vision seems to have a similar effect on learning as a direct personal connection.

I look forward to reading the book.
Permalink
Aqbal Singh Avatar
Aqbal Singh
Posts: 1
Posted: 11.09.08, 10:02 AM
I agree - it was a great talk. A unhurried but clear overview of the "intellectual revolution" in the area of "non-cognitive skills", i.e. the non-conscious structures and processes that make for better adapted or more successful individuals. Where it gets interesting is the discussion of strategies to help those challenged in these areas. It seems to boil down to maximising caring, nurturing and mentoring relationships right through life. So this involves both seeking and forming such relationships as a win-win exchange with one's society. Something we should keep in mind in this age of rapid mobility and transient relationships at work and cities, especially for our children. David Brooks links the science beautifully to his conception of "conservatism" as "epistemological modesty" where you respect the complexity of the human person or society (both resultants of the interplay of processes whose exact natures are unknown) which you are trying to reform. I was moved by his reference to Hofstader who had an insight when contemplating his deceased wife - that the two had fused into one unit that survived her death and that this integrated unit could somehow perpetuate the family and facilitate the parenting of his orphaned children. "The two shall be one flesh". I am paraphrasing a lot. David's own style is much more conversational and accessible.
Permalink
Please log in or register to post a comment.
Advertisement

Related Programs

A Future Free of HIV: Scientific and Social Implications A Future Free of HIV: Scientific and Social Implications
00:53:08 min | 2,059 Views
Stephen Lewis: Disease and Climate Change in Africa Stephen Lewis: Disease and Climate Change in Africa
01:12:08 min | 3,804 Views
Debate: This House Would Do Anything for Money Debate: This House Would Do Anything for Money
01:05:21 min | 7,203 Views
Abdallah Daar: Building Global Health Abdallah Daar: Building Global Health
01:12:57 min | 1,382 Views
Yochai Benkler and Jimmy Wales Discuss Cooperation Yochai Benkler and Jimmy Wales Discuss Cooperation
01:30:37 min | 9,035 Views

Browse Programs by Tag

Arts Books Climate Change Computing Conflict Credit Crunch Defense Democratization Economic Policy Education Election 2008 Emerging Markets Energy Entertainment Entrepreneurship Environment Film Food Globalization Health & Wellness Healthcare History Internet Investing Law Medicine Music Muslim World Natural Sciences New Media Personal Technology Philanthropy Religion Social Issues Social Sciences Sustainability Terrorism The Bailout U.S. Foreign Policy White House 2009

Advertisement