Ivan Pavlov: A Life of Science and Spirituality

By Daniel P. Todes

This book provides a concise introduction to the life and science of the great Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936). It weaves together Pavlov’s life, values, context, and science by focusing upon his quest to understand the psyche and the “torments of our consciousness”.

Early Life and Background

Ivan Pavlov was born in a priestly family in provincial Riazan, Russia. His early life laid the foundation for his future scientific endeavors and personal values.

Scientific Achievements

Pavlov’s scientific journey began with his Nobel Prize-winning research on digestion (1891-1903). He then moved on to his iconic studies of conditional reflexes and higher nervous activity (1903-1936), which included experiments with dogs. Contrary to popular belief, Pavlov was not a behaviorist, did not use a bell, and was uninterested in training dogs. Instead, he sought to explain not merely external behaviors, but the emotional and intellectual life of animals and humans.

Later Life and Final Thoughts

During the Bolshevik seizure of power and civil war of 1917-1921, Pavlov’s world was destroyed. However, he rebuilt his life in his 70s as a “prosperous dissident” during the Leninist 1920s. His success and personal torments continued in 1929-1936 during the industrialization, cultural revolution, and terror of Stalin times.

Before his death, Pavlov was working on two unpublished manuscripts. These works reveal the importance of his little-known experiments on chimps and explore his final thoughts about the relationship of science, Christianity, and Bolshevism.

Publication Details:

ASIN: B0B77WB115

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Publication Date: August 4, 2022

Language: English

Screen Reader: Supported

Sticky Notes: On Kindle Scribe

Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0190906693