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

in this provocative study Michael R. Trimble M.Br>d. tackles the interrelationship between brain function language especially music and poetry-andd 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-manyy 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 Unravelling some of the mysteries of the cerebral representations of our highest cultural experiences..