The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World
17th Nov 2010; 13:00
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Why is the brain divided, and what does it mean for human existence, culture and behaviour?
Acclaimed psychiatrist and writer Iain McGilchrist draws on a vast body of recent experimental brain research to reveal that the differences between the brain’s two hemispheres are profound. The left hemisphere is detail-oriented, prefers mechanisms to living things, and is inclined to self-interest. It misunderstands whatever is not explicit, lacks empathy and is unreasonably certain of itself, whereas the right hemisphere has greater breadth, flexibility and generosity, but lacks certainty.
It is vital that the two hemispheres work together, but McGilchrist will argues that the left hemisphere is increasingly taking precedence in the modern world, resulting in a society where a rigid and bureaucratic obsession with structure and self-interest hold sway - with potentially disastrous consequences.
Suggested hashtag for Twitter users: #rsabrain
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