New imaging techniques are surely an important advance in methodology by
which neuroscience establishes the ways of operation of physical structures
in the brain. Gatherings of outstanding intellects are conventions or
departments but are not, in and of themselves "neuroscience". Neuroscience
seeks to explain and understand the physical processes by which the brain
operates. Some of that operation results in decisions about aesthetic issues
and the writing of drama and the painting of pictures. It will not tell us
which characters cheerskep will develop in his next play and whether the
nature of his play will be romantic, ironic, depressing or uplifting.
Geoff C
----- Original Message -----
From: "William Conger" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 8:28 PM
Subject: Re: Neurology and "Art"
What literature can you cite in the fielod to justify your conclusion that
neurology hasn't contributed anything to aid artists or art contemplators?
I've cited people like Solso and Zeki and there are still others quite
numerous and their ranks are increasing. Neurology is not the science it
used to be. Along with the whole range of biological science, it is
undergoing a renaissance, an explosive new era, thanks to new imaging
technology and the gathering of outstanding intellects.
WC
--- On Thu, 12/18/08, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Neurology and "Art"
To: [email protected]
Date: Thursday, December 18, 2008, 5:10 PM
William writes:
"I don't understand why some here are so against
neuroscience and take pains
to trivialize it.. . if neurology is too limited and
trivial, what, indeed,
what, is left and how do we know it?"
William, please look again. At no point do I say neurology
is trivial. The
amount of pain that neurologists have prevented, stopped or
reduced is
incalculable. It's hard to think of any contribution to
humanity greater than the
reduction of raw human pain.
It has been priceless at that assignment. But the
assignment of contributing
something of utility or enlightenment to artists and
contemplators is a
different task entirely. And I have not seen, nor do I
anticipate soon seeing,
anything like that from neurologists. I claim that to say
this is not to trivialize
neurology, any more than to observe that cardiologists
never treat "affairs
of the heart" is to say their work is trivial.
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