New Books in Science Rafael Yuste, "Lectures in Neuroscience" (Columbia UP, 2023)
Jan 16, 2026
Rafael Yuste, a distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences and director of the Neurotechnology Center at Columbia University, discusses his book, Lectures in Neuroscience. He critiques the traditional neuron doctrine and presents the brain as a predictive machine that builds internal models of the world. Yuste explores the implications of neural networks, brain plasticity, and the potential links between creativity and psychosis. He also emphasizes the need for fresh perspectives in neuroscience and encourages future researchers to dive into this fascinating field.
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Why Yuste Wrote The Book
- Rafael Yuste wrote Lectures in Neuroscience because textbooks conflicted with what he teaches.
- He adapted his undergraduate lectures into an accessible book for students with limited science backgrounds.
Brain As An Endogenous Neural Network
- The brain is not an input-output machine but an endogenously active neural network.
- It runs internal activity through groups of neurons that generate predictions and behaviors.
Brain As A Prediction Engine
- The brain's main function is to build a predictive internal model of the world.
- It constantly compares internal predictions to sensory input and updates the model when mismatches occur.
