| The Trickster Brain: Neuroscience, Evolution, and Narrative Contributor(s): Williams, David (Author) |
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ISBN: 0739143972 ISBN-13: 9780739143971 Publisher: Lexington Books OUR PRICE: $133.65 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: May 2012 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Psychology | Human Sexuality (see Also Social Science - Human Sexuality) - Social Science | Anthropology - Cultural & Social - Social Science | Folklore & Mythology |
| Dewey: 612.82 |
| LCCN: 2012007786 |
| Physical Information: 1.2" H x 6.3" W x 9.1" (1.40 lbs) 314 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Until recently, scientific and literary cultures have existed side-by-side but most often in parallel universes, without connection. The Trickster Brain: Neuroscience, Evolution, and Nature by David Williams addresses the premise that humans are a biological species stemming from the long process of evolution, and that we do exhibit a universal human nature, given to us through our genes. From this perspective, literature is shown to be a product of our biological selves. By exploring central ideas in neuroscience, evolutionary biology, linguistics, music, philosophy, ethics, religion, and history, Williams shows that it is the circuitry of the brain's hard-wired dispositions that continually create similar tales around the world: "archetypal" stories reflecting ancient tensions that arose from our evolutionary past and the very construction of our brains. The book asserts that to truly understand literature, one must look at the biological creature creating it. By using the lens of science to examine literature, we can see how stories reveal universal aspects of the biological mind. The Trickster character is particularly instructive as an archetypal character who embodies a raft of human traits and concerns, for Trickster is often god, devil, musical, sexual, silver tongued, animal, and human at once, treading upon the moral dictates of culture. Williams brings together science and the humanities, demonstrating a critical way of approaching literature that incorporates scientific thought. |