
Inner Theatres of Good and Evil
The Mind's Staging of Gods, Angels and Devils
Mark Pizzato(Author)
McFarland & Co Inc (Publisher)
Published on 18. November 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-0-7864-4260-7 (ISBN)
Description
Among the most intriguing questions of neurology is how conceptions of good and evil arise in the human brain. In a world where we encounter god-like forces in nature, and try to transcend them, the development of a neural network dramatizing good against evil seems inevitable. This critical book explores the cosmic dimensions of the brain's inner theatre as revealed by neurology, cognitive science, evolutionary psychology, psychoanalysis, primatology and exemplary Western performances. In theatre, film, and television, supernatural figures express the brain's anatomical features as humans transform their natural environment into cosmic and theological spaces in order to grapple with their vulnerability in the world.
Reviews / Votes
"Pizzato traces the ancient roots of theater to the right/left brain hemisphere struggle between primitive limbic system emotion and higher-order cortical functions"-Reference & Research Book News.More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Jefferson, NC
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
43 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
600 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7864-4260-7 (9780786442607)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Mark Pizzato is a professor of theater and film at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. He has previously published four books and three plays.
Content
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Brain's Evolving Theatre
1. Neural and Prehistoric Signs of the Divine
2. Ancient Animal and Human Deities
3. One Medieval God-with His Angels and Devils
4. From Renaissance Rebirths to Postmodern Experiments
5. Cosmic Forces on the Movie Screen
6. Millennium in the Home Theatre
Conclusion: More Morality with Humans as Gods?
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Brain's Evolving Theatre
1. Neural and Prehistoric Signs of the Divine
2. Ancient Animal and Human Deities
3. One Medieval God-with His Angels and Devils
4. From Renaissance Rebirths to Postmodern Experiments
5. Cosmic Forces on the Movie Screen
6. Millennium in the Home Theatre
Conclusion: More Morality with Humans as Gods?
Notes
Bibliography
Index