PPubMed24 Jun 2026

<i> Neurophotonics </i> book club: “The Secret of Secrets” by Dan Brown – a thought-provoking twist on a famous neuroscience controversy

Anna Devor, Gary Boas

Abstract

This editorial explores the novel The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown as a gateway to longstanding debates in neuroscience, particularly surrounding consciousness and free will. Highlighting the novels references to real neurophotonic technologies, it examines where scientific evidence ends and speculative fiction begins.

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The editorial uses Dan Brown’s novel to discuss neuroscience debates on consciousness and highlight real neurophotonics technologies versus speculative fiction.

What’s new

i.Links a popular novel to ongoing neuroscience debates on consciousness and free will
ii.Identifies and explains real neurophotonics technologies referenced in the story (e.g., fNIRS, diffuse optical tomography)
iii.Suggests additional neurophotonics methods (hyperscanning, fluorescent artificial neurons, infrared bioluminescence) for future fiction

How they did it

The authors read the novel, compare its plot points to actual studies such as Libet’s experiment, and analyze the portrayal of neurophotonics technologies. They also discuss philosophical implications of the depicted science.

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<i> Neurophotonics </i> book club: “The Secret of Secrets” by Dan Brown – a thought-provoking twist on a famous neuroscience controversy

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