Within Reason #69 Iain McGilchrist - The Mind is More Than a Machine
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May 26, 2024 
Psychiatrist and writer Iain McGilchrist discusses the distinct roles of the left and right brain hemispheres, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and competition for optimal brain functionality. The conversation delves into visual and auditory processing differences, challenges the adequacy of truth in scientific terms, and explores the complexities of human nature, love, and God beyond conventional measures.
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Two Hemispheres, Two Types of Attention
- The brain is divided into two asymmetrical hemispheres, connected by the corpus callosum.
- This division allows for two types of attention: targeted attention (left) and broad attention (right).
Map and Territory
- The left hemisphere creates a simplified map of reality, while the right hemisphere perceives the complex world being mapped.
- Evolution favors this asymmetry, with the corpus callosum inhibiting rather than facilitating communication to prevent interference.
Bird and Lizard Vision
- Birds turn their heads to view predators with their left eye, connected to the right hemisphere.
- Experiments with lizards show similar predator inspection behavior, highlighting hemispheric differences in threat detection.