"Scientists studying the inner workings of the human organism have found no soul there. They increasingly argue that human behaviour is determined by hormones, genes and synapses, rather than by free will - the same forces that determine the behaviour of chimpanzees, wolves, and ants. Our judicial and political systems largely try to sweep such inconvenient discoveries under the carpet. But in all frankness, how long can we maintain the wall separating the department of biology from the departments of law and political science?" Yuval Noah Harari Contemporary neuroscientists look at how human behaviour arises from brain activity. Their findings have increasingly been used to address many legal questions. In this seminar, students will learn about: a) brain scanning technologies and the extent to which conclusions about human behaviour can be drawn from studies using these technologies; b) how to assess and use neuroscience evidence; c) how neuroscience evidence has been used to address particular legal issues, including: whether a party had mental capacity to enter into a contract, make a will, or get married; the mental state of an accused at the time of an alleged crime; how the state of a minor's brain development affects cognitive capacity; the accuracy of eye-witness testimony; and how particular brain injuries affect mental functioning.
"Scientists studying the inner workings of the human organism have found no soul there. They increasingly argue that human behaviour is determined by hormones, genes and synapses, rather than by free will - the same forces that determine the behaviour of chimpanzees, wolves, and ants. Our judicial and political systems largely try to sweep such inconvenient discoveries under the carpet. But in all frankness, how long can we maintain the wall separating the department of biology from the departments of law and political science?" Yuval Noah Harari Contemporary neuroscientists look at how human behaviour arises from brain activity. Their findings have increasingly been used to address many legal questions. In this seminar, students will learn about: a) brain scanning technologies and the extent to which conclusions about human behaviour can be drawn from studies using these technologies; b) how to assess and use neuroscience evidence; c) how neuroscience evidence has been used to address particular legal issues, including: whether a party had mental capacity to enter into a contract, make a will, or get married; the mental state of an accused at the time of an alleged crime; how the state of a minor's brain development affects cognitive capacity; the accuracy of eye-witness testimony; and how particular brain injuries affect mental functioning.
