Memory is both a private, personal phenomenon and a collective interpretation of history by society. The concept of memory has long intrigued scientists, philosophers, and scholars alike. This fascinating volume explores some of the many ways that individuals and societies remember, forget, and commemorate events of the past. The collection of eight essays, representing some of the most engaging contemporary voices in the arts and sciences, takes a unique interdisciplinary approach to address the relationships between individual experience and collective memory. Many would expect scientists...

Memory is both a private, personal phenomenon and a collective interpretation of history by society. The concept of memory has long intrigued scientists, philosophers, and scholars alike. This fascinating volume explores some of the many ways that individuals and societies remember, forget, and commemorate events of the past. The collection of eight essays, representing some of the most engaging contemporary voices in the arts and sciences, takes a unique interdisciplinary approach to address the relationships between individual experience and collective memory. Many would expect scientists...

Recent extraordinary and far-reaching events have transformed our world. The disintegration of the Communist Bloc has reconfigured international relationships, while the ending of apartheid symbolizes human commitment to unity. AIDS ravages developing countries, and it also has reshaped scientific research and cultural attitudes towards sexuality. The revolution in genetic medicine has coincided with increased rights for minorities and women. A growing awareness of our environment may cause millennial celebrations to be overshadowed by forecasts of ecological catastrophe. In this...