The Brain and the Law April 22, 2009

Emerging questions at the interface of law and neuroscience challenge our fundamental notions of free-will and the presumptions that lie at the heart of criminality and punishment. Is it a legitimate defense, for example, to claim that a brain tumor or unique neural wiring “made you do it”? Will neuroscience inform sentencing decisions by offering a better prediction of recidivism? Can novel technologies such as brain imaging be leveraged for new methods of rehabilitation? If most behaviors are driven by systems of the brain that we cannot control, how should the law assess responsibility? I will address these questions with a look toward the next decade. I will additionally discuss Baylor College of Medicine’s Initiative on Neuroscience and Law, which brings together a unique collaboration of neurobiologists, legal scholars, and policy makers, with the goal of building modern, evidence-based policy.

All welcome, no ticket required. Seats allocated on a first-come, first served basis.

Map of LSE and surrounding area: http://www.lse.ac.uk/resources/mapsAndDirections/

Official Website: http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/BIOS/events/past_events/pastseminars/David_Eagleman.htm