In Braintrust, Patricia Churchland, a pioneer in the emerging field of neurophilosophy, examines the biology of the brain to find the roots of morality. She argues that moral values derive from the human impulse to preserve people allied to them, beginning with their children and reaching out from there. According to Churchland, creating these allies is facilitated by oxytocin, a brain (and body) chemical that allows for trust by inhibiting the stress response. Whether you agree with Churchland or not, Braintrust provides an interesting and carefully researched perspective on the roots of moral values and behavior.

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