Welcome

Jean-Pierre Changeux, Paul Ricœur

Nature and the Rules What makes us think Publication date : September 1, 2000

'The intention of this book was to put a scientist and a philosopher face to face and spark a dialogue between them on neuroscience, on their results and projects, and their ability to carry out a debate on ethics, its norms, and on peace. In France, ideas are rarely openly discussed. Serious debates are too often hindered by dogmatic statements, one-sided criticisms, incomprehensible discussions and glib mockery, with little or no thought for the solidity of the arguments, which aim only to appear plausible or worthy of being argued, rather than convincing. A totally free and open dialogue between a scientist and a philosopher is necessarily a highly unusual experience for both.'
Paul Ricœur and Jean-Pierre Changeux

'An exceptional meeting between Jean-Pierre Changeux and Paul Ricoeur. The materialistic biologist and the Christian philosopher listen to each other, offering explanations and debating issues involving the relations between body and mind or the foundations of the ethics of tomorrow. The result is immensely interesting.'
Roger-Pol Droit, Le Monde Littéraire

Paul Ricœur is an honorary professor at the University of Paris-X and an emeritus professor at the University of Chicago. He is the author of many works, including La Métaphore Vive, Temps et Récit and Soi-Même Comme un Autre.

Jean-Pierre Changeux, a member of the French Academy of Science, teaches at the College of France and the Pasteur Institute. He is the author of De l'Homme Neuronal and Raison et Plaisir, and the co-author with Alain Connes of Matière à Penser.