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UnHerd’s Freddie Sayers talks with neuroscientist and philosopher Dr. Iain McGilchrist about the psychological and cultural crisis resulting from our modern reliance on the brain’s analytical left hemisphere, a perspective that views the world as a collection of inanimate parts rather than a living whole, while making a compelling case for the rehabilitation of myth and religious tradition as essential pathways to a deeper, relational truth that can protect Western civilisation from the dehumanising effects of purely mechanistic thinking.
Unherd generally is rubbish it Freddie is brilliant. What do I do ? He should have his own site.
Unherd will block this comment. Anyone know why ?
Your comment lives! Yes, I agree. He has a lovely manner and asks penetrating questions in a non-threatening way.
This was an excellent discussion. Thank you, Unherd.
The world is begging for right-brain thinking, imo. It’s begging for meaningful myths. But creating new myths, that are deeply rooted in the culture from which they arise, takes a very long time. But we need them now.
Forty years ago, the great mythologist, Joseph Campbell, wrote about the world’s need for myths that resonate in the modern age. He suggested that we should start with the myths we were brought up with, even if they no longer feel entirely relevant. Hence, for most of us in the West, the myths will be those of Christianity revitalized for the modern age.
I don’t know how myths are revitalized: probably by a long process of trial and error. As Campbell noted, that is the job of artists, where the word “artist” is used in its broadest sense (writers, poets, painters, playwrights, etc).
I’m not suprised Iain McGilchrist receives so much positive feedback on his book chapters regarding myth. Maybe he could set forth some ideas on how we create/revitalize myths.
Thank you Unherd for introducing Dr. Iain McGilchrist to your audience. I have since read The Master and His Emissary which I loved and have recommended and bought for friends and family.
His central argument is compelling, and even if future research proves the relationship between the left and right hemispheres is different or more complex, he has nonetheless shone light on a deeper truth.
I am less sure of the idea of Christianity reclaiming a more central role in Western culture. I understand the need he is trying to satisfy and that, for him, Christianity is the best model that we have come up with so far. But why not Islam? Why not Hinduism? Does it have to be Christianity or can it be another old world religion or can it be faith itself?
If we need a right brain correction, why is his answer so specific to Christianity?
McGilchrist often uses eastern traditions to make his argument. Is ‘The West’ really vital then ?
There is no link to the event in Oxford in the description which Freddie said would be inserted