Publication details

Hemisférická asymetrie a její důsledky pro filozofii

Title in English Hemispheric asymmetry and it's consequences for philosophy
Authors

KRCHŇÁK Daniel

Year of publication 2016
Type Appeared in Conference without Proceedings
MU Faculty or unit

Faculty of Arts

Citation
Description In my paper I present the theory of brain hemisphere asymmetry form Iain McGilchrist. This theory rejects popular idea of hemispheric asymmetry, which sees right hemisphere as the emotional one and the left hemisphere as the rational one. McGilchrist nevertheless insists, that there is really important difference between both hemispheres, on different levels of cognitive functions. While left hemisphere operates in more focused, analytical, precise way and represents the world as an instrument, right hemisphere processes more in more holistic way; is more open to outside world, tolerate ambiguity, what also relates to its dominance in social interaction and empathy. This claim is based on great amount of neurological evidence, which is presented in the book Master and his Emmisary. The next claim of McGilchrist theory states, that though both hemispheres are crucially important, the right hemisphere is epistemically primary. I will identify some argument for this thesis – argument from negative consequences of left hemisphere dominance, argument of humbleness and argument of psychological primariness. I show some possible criticism of the theory as well, specifically objection of relativistic consequences, objection of vagueness and objection of depressiveness of right hemisphere. I try to answer these objections. Finally I sketch some possible consequences of this conception for analytical philosophy.
Related projects:

You are running an old browser version. We recommend updating your browser to its latest version.

More info