Product Description

In THE WISDOM PARADOX, world-renowned neuropsychologist Elkhonon Goldberg argues that although some mental abilities (such as recent-memory recall) decline as the mind enters the autumn season of our lifespan and we increasingly experience 'senior moments', the brain actually becomes more powerful in its ability to recognize patterns. As a result, we are able to make decisions at more intuitive and effective levels -- a late-emerging mental strength he terms 'wisdom'. In lively, accessible prose, Goldberg delves into the mechanisms of the mind, outlining how the elegant structures of the brain develop and change over the course of a lifetime. Drawing on recent and historical examples of leaders and artists who achieved their greatest successes late in life -- from Goethe to Ronald Reagan -- Goldberg illustrates the effects of an emerging scientific understanding of the biology of wisdom. Most provocatively, he outlines how a 'cognitive fitness' programme can both curtail the negative mental effects of ageing and enhance our decision-making powers.Insightful and inspiring, THE WISDOM PARADOX is a groundbreaking look into our mental machinery that will change the way you think about ageing -- and about thinking.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #156643 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Customer Reviews

An Enjoyable Read
I came across this book after I read Joe DeLoux's "Synaptic Self: How Our Brains Become Who We Are," and it proved to be an enjoyable read. Elkhonon Goldberg has written quite complex information into a very comprehensible direction for the reader in his "The Wisdom Paradox."

There are fifteen chapters in this book, with an addition of an epilogue. With each chapter, it is more like a personal journey than a simple or dry work. It is both personal and informative.

I personally like this book because it adds to my understanding of neuropsychology and neurobiology as it would be a good resourceful book. After reading this book, I find myself feeling compelled to exercise my mind and get those synapse of mine firing. My current skills are limited and useless. However, I can increase my skills by doing what I never done before. Knowledge is indeed unlimited and so is our brain power.

In my opinion, I recommend this book.

SharpBrains is much better
In my opinion this book has a thin premise; that ageing brains lose various powers, but do get better at seeing patterns (being 'wise'). However his SharpBrains joint authored book is excellent; a great current survey of 'brain training going mainstream' developments and interviews. I hope Goldberg really focuses now on developing his brain training, and produces a book with exercises for each aspect of keeping brains well trained and in tip-top form as they age - veyr best wishes to him.