Art and the Brain (Journal of Consciousness Studies: Controversies in Science & the Humanities) [Paperback]

Joseph Goguen (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 19, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0907845452 | ISBN-13: 978-0907845454 | Edition: 1

Is it possible to take a natural science approach to art and uncover general laws of aesthetic experience, or is that taking reductionism too far?

Editorial Reviews

Review

Ramachandran and Hirstein [in the lead article] present a penetrating neurological theory comprising eight universal laws of aesthetic experience . . . Although these two neurologists are far from the first to respond to the challenge of explaining the human artistic experience, they bring a deeper viewpoint to bear, combining principles from perceptual psychology, evolutionary biology, neurological deficits and functional brain anatomy. Their treatment is unusual not so much in their development of perceptual rules for art, but in their use of these diverse principles to address the evolutionary meaning of beauty that may be the essence of art . . . Ramachandran and Hirstein state that their goal is to foster debate on the principles underlying the artistic experience. This they undoubtedly do, as exemplified by the Commentaries." -- Christopher Tyler, Science, 30 July 1999

The six principal papers are by a range of able and even distinguished exponents of their various specialisms. -- John Nash, Interdisciplinary Science Reviews, 25, No.3 2000

About the Author

Joseph Goguen is professor of computer science, UCSD

V.S. Ramachandran is director, Center for Brain and Cognition, UCSD

Nicholas Humphrey is a senior researcher in evolutionary psychology, London School of Economics

Erich Harth is professor of physics, Syracuse University

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Imprint Academic; 1 edition (July 19, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0907845452
• ISBN-13: 978-0907845454
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,428,681 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent summary of research on art and the brain, April 4, 2000

By 

Bill G. (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art and the Brain (Journal of Consciousness Studies: Controversies in Science & the Humanities) (Paperback)

This issue of the Journal of Consciousness Studies offers a useful and illuminating collection of articles from major neuroscience researchers (including Ramachandran and Zeki) on how the architecture and organization of the brain influences our perception of art. Zeki's article formed the basis for his new book ("Inner Vision: An Explanation of Art and the Brain"), while Ramachandran obviously enjoys the opportunity to show off his erotic art collection! Highly recommended for anyone curious about how the brain constrains and channels our perceptions, and our appreciation of art.