Cognition, Culture, and the Arts: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Narrating, Understanding, and Reading

The volume aims to show how culture, literature, and the arts can contribute to a better understanding of human cognition by examining evolutionary substrates, narrative interfaces, and sense-making techniques. It also explores musical cognition and the relation between music, aesthetics, and cognition.

Format: Hardback
Length: 132 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2021
Publisher: Peter Lang AG

The aim of this comprehensive volume is to explore the profound ways in which the study of culture, literature, and the arts can enhance our understanding of human cognition. Through a collection of thought-provoking essays, the book delves into the intriguing question of whether culture is solely a human phenomenon, shedding light on the evolutionary foundations of narrative and the intricate interplay between culture, stories, and cognition. The contributions in this volume examine the cognitive advantages and limitations of literary reading, while also exploring alternative techniques of sense-making in the arts through imagined dialogues and the exploration of ambiguity. Furthermore, the final chapters delve into the realm of musical cognition, exploring the intricate relationship between music, aesthetics, and cognition.

The study of culture, literature, and the arts has the potential to unlock a wealth of insights into the complex workings of the human mind. By examining the evolutionary roots of narrative and the interplay between culture, stories, and cognition, we can gain a deeper understanding of how humans process information and form meaningful connections with the world around them.

In this volume, a diverse range of scholars and artists come together to explore the cognitive strengths and weaknesses of literary reading. They examine how different literary genres and styles shape our perception of reality, influence our emotions, and shape our cognitive processes. Through imagined dialogues and the experience of ambiguity, the contributors shed light on the ways in which the arts can challenge our assumptions and provoke us to think differently.

One particularly interesting aspect of this volume is its exploration of musical cognition. Music has long been recognized as a powerful tool for expressing emotions and creating meaning, and recent research has shed light on the cognitive processes involved in musical perception and performance. The contributors to this chapter discuss the ways in which music can evoke emotions, shape our perception of time, and influence our cognitive patterns.

In conclusion, the aim of this volume is to demonstrate the profound ways in which the study of culture, literature, and the arts can contribute to a better understanding of human cognition. By exploring the cognitive advantages and limitations of literary reading, the book provides valuable insights into the ways in which humans process information and form meaningful connections with the world around them. The exploration of musical cognition further highlights the unique ways in which music can shape our cognitive processes and emotions.

Weight: 250g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783631861264
Edition number: New ed