"Neuroscience research should be part of a broader vision: better understanding the brain can help fight diseases, but does not give a definitive answer as to what a human being is". This was stated by the professor Jose Ignacio Murillo, main researcher for the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS)'s 'Mind-Brain' project at the launch of the institute at the TECNUN School of Engineering in San Sebastián. The ICS is a research center at the University of Navarra which seeks to provide scientific answers to the challenges of the global world from the perspective of the humanities and social sciences.

 

As indicated by Professor Murillo, neuroscience is one of the research fields that is currently being most developed, through specific initiatives such as the Mind-Brain project, which seeks to recreate the human brain, and which Professor Murillo branded as the "flagship of research work in Europe".

"Neuroscience has a great influence on the image that our culture has of itself. From a reductionist perspective, man has no freedom, our identity has no consistency, our relationships are produced by biochemical reactions," he explained. For this reason, the project has opted for an interdisciplinary perspective, which promotes a dialogue between the humanities and the sciences.

José Ignacio Murillo was one of three speakers at the forum held during the event, moderated by Andoni Orrantia, journalist from the TV channel ETB. Professor Herrero, main researcher on the ‘Religion and Civil Society' project and Ignacio Gómara, researcher on the ‘Education of Human Affectivity and Sexuality' project also participated. All three expanded upon some of the key points of the research they carry out at the ICS.

Underlying reasons for today's problems

Professor Herrero stated that the humanities can provide the underlying reasons for today's problems.  "We think of immigration, poverty ... and not about issues such as corruption, lack of transparency or lack of trust. We don't consider that many problems that later cause economic issues have deeper roots, such as failing to think about ethical conduct or solidarity.

Professor Ignacio Gómara explained that his line of research focuses on "promoting sexual and emotional education of young people so that they have more extensive and positive information, so that their first decisions about sexuality are based on certain knowledge and they don't let themselves be swayed by peer pressure."

The presentation at TECNUN also involved the Vice President for Research of the University of Navarra, Dr Iciar Astiasarán, who stated that "society is now at a turning point" and that the academic institution launches initiatives such as the ICS in order to "address the needs of society from an academic point of view which is well founded and based on a scientific methodology".

Jaime Garcia del Barrio, general director of the ICS, also emphasized the main features of the Institute, at which 50 specialists of 17 nationalities are developing their research. He referred to the ICS' eight lines of research, which fall into four areas: ‘Contemporary art', ‘Family, Education and Society', ‘Globalization, Human Rights and Interculturalism', and ‘Poverty and Development'.

Obra Social 'La Caixa'

El proyecto 'Mente-cerebro' del ICS recibe financiación de la Obra Social 'La Caixa'.