Preface

Summary

In his address of November 10, 2003 to the members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences gathered in Rome to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Accademia dei Lincei, origin of the Academy, and in reference to our meeting on Mind, Brain, and Education, which is the source of this book, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, said:

Scientists themselves perceive in the study of the human mind the mystery of a spiritual dimension which transcends cerebral physiology and appears to direct all our activities as free and autonomous beings, capable of responsibility and love, and marked with dignity. This is seen by the fact that you have decided to expand your research to include aspects of learning and education, which are specifically human activities.

We will always remember the support of His Holiness for the challenging work of the neurocognitive scientists engaged in the field of education, a most humane and humanitarian endeavor.

The editors of this book are pleased and honored to present the work of the distinguished scientists who were invited to discuss their research at the workshop on Mind, Brain, and Education held at the Vatican (November 7–8, 2003). This volume has been edited from the papers presented by the authors and organized in a book that will be of interest not only to experts but also to a larger audience of educators and teachers.