The Space Between Our Ears: How the Brain Represents Visual Space [Hardcover]

Michael Morgan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 2003

In "The Space Between Our Ears" Michael Morgan explains how our brain interprets the images that the outside world forms in our eyes. Using a wealth of sources from over the centuries - philosophical writings, scientific thinking, experiments, passages from poems, novels and films - Morgan reveals the problems that the brain has to confront in manufacturing our perceptions. The book includes optical drawings as well as some simple experiments that the reader can do to test the different components of one's sight and our own reactions to it. There is a long way to go in neurological terms before we can understand how our brains actually see, or indeed the precise location of where this happens inside the grey matter. Morgan recognises that to achieve such an understanding may even necessitate the development of a new language that can better encompass the difficult scientific and logical interpretations that will have to be made. This intelligent, engaging book provides a revelatory overview of what we know about how the brain works regarding visual space, giving a unique insight into one of our most vital yet least understood senses.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'his is the most acutely imagined account of the visual brian for the lay reader since Steven Pinker revealed HOW THE BRAIN WORKS.' -- Simon Ings NEW SCIENTIST 'Morgan provides an accessible exposition without doing violence to subtlety, and his book has won him the coveted Wellcome Trust prize.' -- John Cornwall SUNDAY TIMES 'entertains as it informs. It if is true that visual perception is the latest arms of philosophy to break away and join the sciences, THE SPACE BETWEEN OUR EAR is the narrative such a momentous event deserves.' -- Nicholas Fearn THE SPECTATOR 'a clearly written account... Morgan is particularly good on the problem of binocularlity, depth perception... Morgan knows enough and writes well enough to keep us engaged -- Steven Rose THE GUARDIAN 'very engaging... like a good science TV programme, it's full of worthwhile digressions' FOCUS 'a glorious book. Michael Morgan's manner is witty and engaging and he is never loath to offer opinions, some of which seem likely to raise controversy.' -- John Harrison TLS

About the Author

Michael Morgan has held numerous academic positions and is currently Professor of Visual Psychophysics at The City University, London.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson (November 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 029782970X
• ISBN-13: 978-0297829706
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,340,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.