What does the nose tell the brain, and how does the brain understand it? A philosopher of science explores new research on the human sense of smell and urges us to rethink theories of mind and brain.
A.S. Barwich writes with charm and precision about our preconceptions of how the olfactory system works and how it is different from the other sensory mechanisms that keep us alive and (relatively) safe ... I am not qualified to judge Barwich’s book on a technical level. But I found it an illuminating discussion of the interface between the logical coherence of philosophy and the empirical disciplines of science, with wide relevance to other similar problems with modelling ... a fine pincer movement on a tricky subject.
... this is a special book. The prose can be difficult—it is often opaque and shibboleth-heavy—but the engrossing material easily compensates. A. S. Barwich does philosophy that is empirically directed and historically informed. It teaches readers a lot about olfaction. It teaches us even more about what philosophy can be.
... [an] intriguing but somewhat abstruse debut ... Unfortunately, her work oscillates between understandable ideas...and intimidating terminology ... Despite the fascinating data and concepts presented, the neuroscience Barich discusses is often overly complex and thus not likely to be fully accessible to the wide audience aimed for.
