The Soul in the Brain : The Cerebral Basis of Language, Art, and Belief

In this provocative study, Michael R. Trimble, M.D., tackles the interrelationship between brain function, language, art -- especially music and poetry -- and religion. By examining the breakdown of language in several neuropsychiatric disorders, neuroscientists have identified brain circuits that are involved with metaphor, poetry, music, and religious experiences. Drawing on this body of evidence, Trimble argues that religious experiences and beliefs are explicable biologically and relate to brain function, especially of the nondominant hemisphere.Inspired by the writings and reflections of his patients -- many of whom have epilepsy, psychosis, or affective disorders -- Trimble asks how the human species, so enamored of its own logic and critical facilities, has held from the dawn of civilization strong religious beliefs and a reverence for the arts. He explores topics such as the phenomena of hypergraphia and hyper-religiosity, how religious experiences and poetic expression are neurologically linked with our capacity to respond to music, and how neuropsychiatric disorders influence behaviors related to artistic expression and religiosity by disturbing brain function.With the sensitivity of a dedicated doctor and the curiosity of an accomplished scholar, Trimble offers an insightful analysis of how the study of people with paradigmatical neuropsychiatric conditions can be the cornerstone to unraveling some of the mysteries of the cerebral representations of our highest cultural experiences.

In this provocative study, Michael R. Trimble, M.D., tackles the interrelationship between brain function, language, art—especially music and poetry—and religion. By examining the breakdown of language in several neuropsychiatric disorders, neuroscientists have identified brain circuits that are involved with metaphor, poetry, music, and religious experiences. Drawing on this body of evidence, Trimble argues that religious experiences and beliefs are explicable biologically and relate to brain function, especially of the nondominant hemisphere.

Inspired by the writings and reflections of his patients—many of whom have epilepsy, psychosis, or affective disorders—Trimble asks how the human species, so enamored of its own logic and critical facilities, has held from the dawn of civilization strong religious beliefs and a reverence for the arts. He explores topics such as the phenomena of hypergraphia and hyper-religiosity, how religious experiences and poetic expression are neurologically linked with our capacity to respond to music, and how neuropsychiatric disorders influence behaviors related to artistic expression and religiosity by disturbing brain function.

With the sensitivity of a dedicated doctor and the curiosity of an accomplished scholar, Trimble offers an insightful analysis of how the study of people with paradigmatical neuropsychiatric conditions can be the cornerstone to unraveling some of the mysteries of the cerebral representations of our highest cultural experiences.

In this provocative study, Michael R. Trimble, M.D., tackles the interrelationship between brain function, language, art—especially music and poetry—and religion. By examining the breakdown of language in several neuropsychiatric disorders, he identifies brain circuits that are involved with metaphor, poetry, music, and religious experiences. Drawing on this body of evidence, Trimble argues that religious experiences and beliefs are explicable biologically and relate to brain function, especially of the nondominant hemisphere.Inspired by the writings and reflections of his patients—many of whom have epilepsy, psychosis, or affective disorders—Trimble asks how the human species, so enamored of its own logic and critical facilities, has held from the dawn of civilization strong religious beliefs and a reverence for the arts. He explores topics such as the phenomena of hypergraphia and hyper-religiosity, how religious experiences and poetic expression are neurologically linked with our capacity to respond to music, and how neuropsychiatric disorders influence behaviors related to artistic expression and religiosity by disturbing brain function.With the sensitivity of a dedicated doctor and the curiosity of an accomplished scholar, Trimble offers an insightful analysis of how the study of people with paradigmatical neuropsychiatric conditions can be the cornerstone to unraveling some of the mysteries of the cerebral representations of our highest cultural experiences. In this provocative study, Michael R. Trimble, M.D., tackles the interrelationship between brain function, language, artespecially music and poetryand religion. By examining the breakdown of language in several neuropsychiatric disorders, he identifies brain circuits that are involved with metaphor, poetry, music, and religious experiences. Drawing on this body of evidence, Trimble argues that religious experiences and beliefs are explicable biologically and relate to brain function, especially of the nondominant hemisphere. Inspired by the writings and reflections of his patientsmany of whom have epilepsy, psychosis, or affective disordersTrimble asks how the human species, so enamored of its own logic and critical facilities, has held from the dawn of civilization strong religious beliefs and a reverence for the arts. He explores topics such as the phenomena of hypergraphia and hyper-religiosity, how religious experiences and poetic expression are neurologically linked with our capacity to respond to music, and how neuropsychiatric disorders influence behaviors related to artistic expression and religiosity by disturbing brain function. With the sensitivity of a dedicated doctor and the curiosity of an accomplished scholar, Trimble offers an insightful analysis of how the study of people with paradigmatical neuropsychiatric conditions can be the cornerstone to unraveling some of the mysteries of the cerebral representations of our highest cultural experiences. Contents......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 12 Introduction......Page 14 1 Where Did It All Begin?......Page 21 2 The Neuroanatomy of Emotion......Page 38 3 Language and the Human Brain......Page 69 4 The Other Way of Using Language......Page 85 5 The Breakdown of Language......Page 108 6 Music and the Brain......Page 132 7 Neurotheology I: Epilepsy......Page 146 8 Neurotheology II: Other Neurological Conditions......Page 172 9 God, Music, and the Poetry of the Brain......Page 189 Epilogue......Page 217 Appendix 1. Brief Biographies of Some Poets with Bipolar Disorder......Page 228 Appendix 2. Some Notable Religious Poets......Page 235 Notes......Page 240 References......Page 276 B......Page 292 C......Page 293 E......Page 294 G......Page 295 J......Page 296 L......Page 297 N......Page 298 P......Page 299 R......Page 300 S......Page 301 W......Page 302 Z......Page 303 Contents 10 Acknowledgments 12 Introduction 14 1 Where Did It All Begin? 21 2 The Neuroanatomy of Emotion 38 3 Language and the Human Brain 69 4 The Other Way of Using Language 85 5 The Breakdown of Language 108 6 Music and the Brain 132 7 Neurotheology I: Epilepsy 146 8 Neurotheology II: Other Neurological Conditions 172 9 God, Music, and the Poetry of the Brain 189 Epilogue 217 Appendix 1. Brief Biographies of Some Poets with Bipolar Disorder 228 Appendix 2. Some Notable Religious Poets 235 Notes 240 References 276 Index 292 A 292 B 292 C 293 D 294 E 294 F 295 G 295 H 296 I 296 J 296 K 297 L 297 M 298 N 298 O 299 P 299 R 300 S 301 T 302 U 302 V 302 W 302 Y 303 Z 303 "In this study, Michael R. Trimble tackles the interrelationship among brain function, language, art - especially music and poetry - and religion. By examining the breakdown of language in several neuropsychiatric disorders, neuroscientists have identified brain circuits that are involved with metaphor, poetry, music, and religious experiences. Drawing on this body of evidence, Trimble argues that religious experiences and beliefs are explicable biologically and relate to brain function, especially of the nondominant hemisphere."--Jacket