Writing the Brain: Material Minds and Literature, 1800-1880

In the 19th century, there was an explosion of interest in writings about the brain, leading to the emergence of modern neuroscience. Stefan Schöberlein's book Writing the Brain explores how literature encountered these novel theories and shaped scientific thinking. The debate over the material mind was a public one, with scientists and literary writers frequently publishing in the same periodicals.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

In the nineteenth century, a remarkable surge of interest in writings about the brain occurred, marking a pivotal era in the development of modern neuroscience. The years between 1800 and 1880 are often referred to as the emergence of modern neuroscience, characterized by the discovery and naming of new areas within the brain. This breakthrough was swiftly followed by a fervent drive to hypothesize about the functioning of the brain, suggesting that thinking itself could be merely a physiological act. Stefan Schöberlein's insightful book, Writing the Brain, delves into how literature engaged with these novel scientific theories of cognition and, in turn, shaped the scientific mindset.

Before the advent of modern psychology, a diverse group of individuals, including alienists, self-help gurus, and anatomists, proposed that the structure of the brain could provide insights into the workings of the mind. Suddenly, in the nineteenth century, readers and writers were confronted with the notion that qualities once attributed to disembodied souls could actually arise from a mere lump of cranial matter. This intellectual debate unfolded in a time when scientists and literary writers frequently published in the same periodicals, resulting in a public discourse on the material mind.

Writing the Brain showcases the profound impact of these exchanges by examining several canonical works and textual rediscoveries. It demonstrates that these interactions not only influenced how poets and novelists fictionalized the mind but also how scientists thought and communicated about their discoveries. From the pioneering work of George Combe to the writings of Charles Dickens, from Emily Dickinson to Pliny Earle, from Benjamin Rush to Alfred Tennyson, the 1800s witnessed a lively debate about what it means to possess or, rather, be a brain.

Through meticulous analysis and thoughtful exploration, Writing the Brain sheds light on the intricate relationship between literature, science, and the human mind. It underscores the ways in which the study of the brain has influenced our understanding of the human condition, shaping our cultural, intellectual, and emotional landscape. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of neuroscience, literary studies, and the broader study of the human mind, offering a fresh perspective on the complex interplay between these disciplines.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 240 x 160 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197693681