Reductionism in Art and Brain Science Audiobook By Eric R. Kandel cover art

Reductionism in Art and Brain Science

Bridging the Two Cultures

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Reductionism in Art and Brain Science

By: Eric R. Kandel
Narrated by: James Anderson Foster
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About this listen

Are art and science separated by an unbridgeable divide? Can they find common ground? In this book, neuroscientist Eric R. Kandel, whose remarkable scientific career and deep interest in art give him a unique perspective, demonstrates how science can inform the way we experience a work of art and seek to understand its meaning.

Kandel illustrates how reductionism - the distillation of larger scientific or aesthetic concepts into smaller, more tractable components - has been used by scientists and artists alike to pursue their respective truths. He draws on his Nobel Prize-winning work revealing the neurobiological underpinnings of learning and memory in sea slugs to shed light on the complex workings of the mental processes of higher animals.

In Reductionism in Art and Brain Science, Kandel shows how this radically reductionist approach, applied to the most complex puzzle of our time - the brain - has been employed by modern artists who distill their subjective world into color, form, and light. Kandel demonstrates through bottom-up sensory and top-down cognitive functions how science can explore the complexities of human perception and help us to perceive, appreciate, and understand great works of art.

©2016 Eric R. Kandel (P)2018 Tantor
Art Biological Sciences History & Criticism Physical Illness & Disease Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Human Brain Inspiring Genetics Art Neuroscience
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Perspective-shifting Book • Thought-provoking Content
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It’s not that often that I run across a book that I just can’t put down. I love learning about neuroscience, but despite appreciation of beauty and excellence being one of my VIA strengths I’ve never felt very connected to art, particularly painting. This book shifted my perspective, and I found myself, for the first time ever, searching the internet for images of the art/artists introduced. Coupled with the neuroscience underpinnings, I not only sought out the art, I savored it. I’m sure not everyone will experience the same shift in perspective I did this is definitely a five star book for me.

A huge shift in perspective for me

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Pretty sound coverage of the topic and incorporates relevant information.
recommended highly and gives a new perspective on modern art

Good and thorough overview

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The discussion of art and brain science is an odd pairing that Kandel handles woth aplomb. Unfortunately the audio book doesn't have a PDF which is very much necessary.

Great book

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Brilliant, how art, specially abstract art, bypasses our conscious understanding of the world and can touch us deeply. I also bought the e-book and it is fantastic, with the photos, graphs etc., to complement the audio version.
It is also a scientific book, not too technical, but with tons of details about the brain, its pathways, etc. Overall, I really liked, it opened my horizons.

Brilliant. More Science than Art, tons of details about the brain, its pathways and biological responses

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Loved how this book explains so well people’s frustration with Abstract Art that looks like nothing they can recognize

Excellent explanation of Abstract Art

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When I first started listening to this my first reaction was "I can't listen to this, it's a bit dry", but I kept it on just to occupy the background. After listening for a while, I found myself rewinding and paying better attention to it. Then I finally stopped the recording, went back to the very beginning and started listening intently. Doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, right? I probably wasn't in the right frame of mind when I was listening the first time. There were interesting points made, backed up by supporting material. If you're interested in the subject matter its worth the listen.

Unexpected

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These is an actually great book nonetheless had to return it. It desperately need some acompanying pdf with images discussed in the text... without is pretty much useless.

Lack accompanying pdf with images.

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🔥🔥🔥 Breaks down the concept of interpretating art aswell as the development of art over time. Great read.

I feel a better grasp of art and reductionism.

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And at times seemingly contrived - not sure every emotion prompted by the visual stimuli can be reduced to a simple physiological reaction. The theories presented here are still fascinating even where the thread on incredulity.

A bit complicated

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The subject matter is fascinating. The text successfully creates clear mental images of the art being discussed without the need to consult the pictures in the book. Narration is excellent.

Fascinating- Excellent Narration

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