Bi-cameral brains in depth

[Ian Livingston]

Haven't read it (yet, though you just put it on my list). I will happily
recommend as supplement Antonio Damasio's books, Descarte's Error, and
Looking for Spinoza. As a neuroscientist, he inclines to the physiology of
the brain, but he does a fine job of putting the functions of that organ
into philosophical context. He, too, is an excellent writer who brings
difficult material into focus.

On Sun, Jan 24, 2016 at 5:10 PM, Joseph Tracy <brook7 at sover.net> wrote:

> I am currently reading Iain McGilchrist’s The Master and his Emissary
>
>
>
> One of the most scientifically, psychologically and philosophically
> profound books I have ever read. It really has me reeling with information
> and insight and makes sense of so much that seems inscrutable in human
> history and personal behavior. I came across the title and a description
> with a brief quote while doing research on another book. It seemed the more
> intriguing book so I got it from the library. Will be looking for a used
> copy.
>   The topic is the roles of the 2 hemispheres of the brain and he brings
> together an unexpected wealth of medical/scientific research, both
> contemprary and historic to build a very powerful picture of the nature of
> each hemisphere, as well as the evolutionary logic of their
> differentiation. Both from the introduction and from some peeks ahead I
> know he has a philosophic intention that argues for a greater balance  in
> our cultural biases,  and greater awareness of the brain-structure origins
> of those biases.
>   From a Pynchon reader POV McGilchrist takes on the brain structure basis
> of major themes and historic tendencies that appear throughout the body of
> P’s work. Essentially it is about the division in the brain between left
> hemisphere’s tendency to seek and produce control achieved through
> manipulable units of thought, communication, structure, manufacture  and
> the right brain’s holistic, individualistic and socially empathic style. (
> there is no way to adequadetly summarize this or the pages of precise
> information derived from scientific research). This struggle appers in all
> P books and with profound starkness in Pynchon’s essay on CP Snow, and the
> GR theme of mechanistic control vs nature/pursuit of bliss/personal
> freedom, humane solidarity.
>
> The writer’s background for this book is about as good as possible.
> Professional Psychiatrist specializing in physiological brain issues, a
> researcher in neuro-imaging and an  Oxford English teacher 3 times elected
> Fellow at All Souls College. Of equal or greater importance is the
> originality of his brilliance and the humane depth of his quest to
> understand how our brain structure fits into our historic development, and
> his sense that understanding these things might free us to find a better
> way forward.
>
> Has anyone else read it?
>
> 462 pgs of text and over 100 of end notes etc.-
> Pynchon-l / http://www.waste.org/mail/?listpynchon-l
>
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