That the brain could recognise something just from a few visual clues has been known for a long time and the programme pursues this further. It perhaps is that the brain is increasingly being discovered - as the programme makes clear - to be creative even in what were once assumed to be almost mechanical cognitive functions. That there seems no hint of this with Dr Eagleman suggests that either his is a broader approach or that there is increasing convergence between these one time competitors. Neuroscience lays claim to being the 'hardest' science. There are differences too between what each discipline believes constitutes 'knowledge'. Between these exists to some extent and at times, with some individuals, a turf war as to which has claim to being the pre-eminent discipline to provide an explanation of the workings of the brain. Dr Eagleman is a neuro-scientist and neuro-science is one approach to the brain - others include psychology and philosophy. To have it so well and clearly presented is a real bonus. My sense at least, I could be wrong, is that this programme brings together recent discoveries so represents the current state of knowledge.

A very well crafted script with excellent illustrations by way of specially staged experimental demonstrations, archive material of recovered surgical patients, well chosen analogies and good graphics I have some curiosity about questions of perception and cognition.

The brain book by david eagleman