Making Sense with Sam Harris #234 — The Divided Mind
4 snips
Feb 5, 2021 
In this thought-provoking conversation, Iain McGilchrist, a renowned neuropsychiatrist and author, shares insights on brain lateralization. He delves into the distinct roles of the left and right hemispheres, revealing how the left often fabricates narratives to rationalize its knowledge gaps. They discuss the implications of this divide for consciousness and attention, and explore the intriguing idea that the brain may merely be a receiver of the mind. McGilchrist also touches on the societal dominance of the left hemisphere and its impact on our fragmented sense of self.
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The Divided Brain
- The human brain, like other mammalian and avian brains, is divided into two hemispheres.
- These hemispheres could have been identical, but they exhibit significant functional differences.
Master and Emissary
- McGilchrist uses the parable of a master and his emissary to illustrate the relationship between the brain hemispheres.
- The emissary, initially a delegated administrator, usurps the master's role, leading to their downfall.
Corpus Callosum
- The divided nature of the brain raises fundamental questions about its organization and function.
- The corpus callosum, connecting the hemispheres, is a mammalian innovation.
