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The Master and His Emissary
The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World | Iain McGilchrist
6 posts | 3 read | 2 reading | 6 to read
Why is the brain divided? The difference between right and left hemispheres has been puzzled over for centuries. In a book of unprecedented scope, Iain McGilchrist draws on a vast body of recent brain research, illustrated with case histories, to reveal that the difference is profoundnot just this or that function, but two whole, coherent, but incompatible ways of experiencing the world. The left hemisphere is detail oriented, prefers mechanisms to living things, and is inclined to self-interest, where the right hemisphere has greater breadth, flexibility, and generosity. This division helps explain the origins of music and language, and casts new light on the history of philosophy, as well as on some mental illnesses. In the second part of the book, McGilchrist takes the reader on a journey through the history of Western culture, illustrating the tension between these two worlds as revealed in the thought and belief of thinkers and artists, from Aeschylus to Magritte. He argues that, despite its inferior grasp of reality, the left hemisphere is increasingly taking precedence in the modern world, with potentially disastrous consequences. This is truly a tour de force that should excite interest in a wide readership.
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SarahBookInterrupted
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Check out Meredith‘s book review of “The Master and His Emissary” on Book Interrupted‘s Manuscript Monday Blog. https://www.bookinterrupted.com/post/manuscript-monday-the-master-and-his-emissa...

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HannaPolkadots
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Pickpick

I'm glad I finished this. The first part was heavy, very technical and sciency, and I considered bailing, but the second part was superinteresting, going through various cultural eras and looking at art and literature and the brain and ways of perception. I think I will revisit part 2 one day, whereas with part 1, once was enough.

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HannaPolkadots
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More #audiostitching. The Master And His Emissary is interesting, but a bit too clever for me maybe, and I struggle to keep up. Embroidery helps 😃 but I do look forward to listening to some fiction next 😅

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HannaPolkadots
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Some audioknitting next, I might as well use the extra time to start making Christmas gifts 😅🙈

Lcsmcat I like that color! 5y
28 likes1 comment
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drneutron
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Pickpick

Right brain? Left brain? Not what you think! Yeah, our brains are divided and asymmetrical, but the result is much deeper than what conventional wisdom would tell you.