Jean-Pierre Changeux (born in Domont, France, April 7 1936) is a French neuroscientist, who researched many different areas of biology in his life, from the structure and function of proteins, to the early development of the nervous system. However, it was with the publication of his book Neuronal Man: The Biology of The Mind in 1985 that Changeux reached celebrity status in the scientific world.
Currently, he works at the Collège de France and the Institut Louis Pasteur as professor for molecular neurobiology.
Life
Jean-Pierre Changeux began working on the brain in the 1960's. He wrote a thesis under the direction of one of the fathers of molecular biology, Jacques Monod on the concept of allosteric interaction. After tireless years of enquiry he is currently engaged in innovative research on the nicotinic receptors in the central nervous system. Besides his academic carreer, Changeux has headed the National Advisory Committee on Bioethics in France and has also chaired a high-level commission at the Louvre.
Achievements
Jean-Pierre Changeux is most noted for his intriguing, yet controversial ideas and beliefs in the connection between mind and physical brain. As put forth in his most recent publication, Conversations on Mind, Matter and Mathematics, Changeux strongly sides with the statement 'The Nervous System is active rather than reactive'. Even though he seems to come up against some resistance on this idea among his peers, he also has an obvious talent for writing as evidenced by the reviews of his books. Thus, the complex subject matter is made much more appealing to academics of all genres when explained in layman's terms, hence the success of his books.
Books
What Makes Us Think. A Neuroscientist and a Philosopher Argue About Ethics, Human Nature, and the Brain (2002) (together with Paul Ricœur)
Review of What Makes Us Think by Howard Gardner [1]
Review of What Makes Us Think by Elliott White [2]