Charles Scott Sherrington
Charles Scott Sherrington
==========================
Full Name and Common Aliases
---------------------------------
Sir Charles Scott Sherrington was born on November 27, 1857, in Islington, London, England. He is commonly known as Charles Sherrington.
Birth and Death Dates
---------------------------
Born: November 27, 1857, in Islington, London, England.
Died: May 4, 1952, in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England, at the age of 94.
Nationality and Profession(s)
---------------------------------
Sherrington was a British neuroscientist, physiologist, and Nobel laureate. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century.
Early Life and Background
------------------------------
Sherrington's interest in science began at an early age. His mother encouraged his curiosity, providing him with various educational materials to stimulate his mind. He attended Merchant Taylors' School and later studied at St John's College, Cambridge. Sherrington graduated from Cambridge University in 1876.
Major Accomplishments
---------------------------
Sherrington's research focused on the physiology of the nervous system. His groundbreaking work led to a profound understanding of how neurons interact with each other. In 1890, he discovered the dorsal root ganglia, which play a crucial role in transmitting sensory information from the spinal cord to the brain.
In addition to his scientific contributions, Sherrington was an advocate for science education and public awareness. He served as President of the Royal Society from 1925 to 1940 and was knighted by King George V in 1924.
Notable Works or Actions
-----------------------------
Sherrington's most notable works include:
"Integrative Action of the Nervous System" (1906) - a comprehensive textbook on neurophysiology.
"Man on His Nature" (1940) - a philosophical essay exploring human nature and its relationship to science.
Impact and Legacy
-------------------------
Sherrington's work laid the foundation for modern neuroscience. He introduced the concept of integrative action, which describes how neurons coordinate their activity to produce complex behaviors.
His legacy extends beyond his scientific contributions. Sherrington was an advocate for education, public awareness, and the responsible application of science. His commitment to these values has inspired generations of scientists and scholars.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
---------------------------------------------
Sherrington is widely quoted and remembered due to his profound insights into human nature and the natural world. His quotes often convey a sense of wonder, curiosity, and respect for the complexity of life.
One of his most famous quotes reads:
"The universe is not only stranger than we think it is; it is stranger than we can think."
This quote encapsulates Sherrington's awe-inspiring perspective on the mysteries of existence. His words continue to inspire scientists, philosophers, and thinkers around the world.
Quotes by Charles Scott Sherrington
Existence of an excited state is not a prerequisite for the production of inhibition; inhibition can exist apart from excitation no less than, when called forth against an excitation already in progress, it can suppress or moderate it.
In other words the inhibitory process was found capable of no less delicate quantitative adjustment than is the excitatory process.
In some units it may suppress the motor discharge altogether, in some it may merely slow the motor discharge thus lessening the wave frequency of the contraction and so the tension.
Reflex inhibition acting against a reflex titanic contraction may diminish the contraction in one or other or all of several different ways.
Each waking day is a stage dominated for good or ill, comedy, farce, or tragedy, by a dramatis personae, the 'self', and so it will be until the curtain drops.
Natural knowledge has not forgone emotion. It has simply taken for itself new ground of emotion, under impulsion from and in sacrifice to that one of its 'values', Truth.
The brain is a mystery; it has been and still will be. How does the brain produce thoughts? That is the central question and we have still no answer to it.
The brain seems a thoroughfare for nerve-action passing its way to the motor animal. It has been remarked that Life's aim is an act not a thought. To-day the dictum must be modified to admit that, often, to refrain from an act is no less an act than to commit one, because inhibition is coequally with excitation a nervous activity.
A rainbow every morning who would pause to look at? The wonderful which comes often or is plentifully about us is soon taken for granted. Th at is practical enough. It allows us to get on with life. But it may stultify if it cannot on occasion be thrown off . To recapture now and then childhood’s wonder, is to secure a driving force for occasional grown-up thoughts.
If it is mind that we are searching the brain, then we are supposing the brain to be much more than a telephone-exchange. We are supposing it to be a telephone-exchange along with subscribers as well.