Neuroscience, with its astounding new technologies, is uncovering the
workings of the brain and with this perhaps the mind. The 'neuro' prefix
spills out into every area of life, from neuroaesthetics to
neuroeconomics, neurogastronomy and neuroeducation. With its promise to
cure physical and social ills, government sees neuroscience as a tool to
increase the 'mental capital' of the children of the deprived and
workless. It sets aside intensifying poverty and inequality, instead
claiming that basing children's rearing and education on brain science
will transform both the child's and the nation's health and wealth.
Leading critic of such neuropretensions, neuroscientist Steven Rose and
sociologist of science Hilary Rose take a sceptical look at these claims
and the science underlying them, sifting out the sensible from the snake
oil. Examining the ways in which science is shaped by and shapes the
political economy of neoliberalism, they argue that neuroscience on its
own is not able to bear the weight of these hopes.