Tom's review
Proust Was a Neuroscientist by Jonah Lehrer (Goodreads author!)
Tom's review
rating:
recommended for: those interested in Modernism and/or Neuroscience
status: Read in January, 2008
rating:
recommended for: those interested in Modernism and/or Neuroscience
status: Read in January, 2008
In Proust was a Neuroscientist, Lehrer examines the art of eight Modernist figureheads and the connections between their artistic endeavors and what neuroscientists are now learning about the human brain. While it is evident that the connections between Proust and neuroscience were foremost in Lehrer's conception of this book, the connections between neuroscience and each of the other featured artists is clear and - while not groundbreaking - very interesting and insightful.
The importance of this work lies in the Coda, where Lehrer uses these forged connections to weave a convincing argument for a "fourth culture" in which there exists intersection between science and art with each discipline standing on equal footing for the common goal of exploring a shared human experience.
That said, a major criticism of this book is that it is primarily a work of Modernism - ignoring and at times taking unfair jabs against Postmodern notions that have been explored in the half-c...more
The importance of this work lies in the Coda, where Lehrer uses these forged connections to weave a convincing argument for a "fourth culture" in which there exists intersection between science and art with each discipline standing on equal footing for the common goal of exploring a shared human experience.
That said, a major criticism of this book is that it is primarily a work of Modernism - ignoring and at times taking unfair jabs against Postmodern notions that have been explored in the half-c...more
