Week 7 Neuroscience and Art

Neuroscience and Art

Neuroscience (University of Pittsburg)

Neuroscience, the study of the brain, has yet to find answers to its various questions. Within neuroscience, the topic/question of consciousness was what gathered most interest from society (Vesna). The topic was made famous by a neurologist Sigmund Freud who divided the mind into two categories: conscious and unconscious. He claimed that the unconscious state of our mind, most commonly seen as we dream, is limited and harmful compared to our conscious side (Vesna). However, psychiatrist Jung disagreed, as he claimed that the unconscious state can actually be beneficial for our minds. Jung most strongly disagreed with Freud’s negative perspective of religion. He wrote that religion was a safe haven for human mind, and through the use of our minds’ unconsciousness (especially dreaming), religion has potential to invoke a psychic, archetypal power (Jung).

Graphic display of the brain (Yunus)

The debate of consciousness continues to this day. Because neuroscience is a relatively new field, much discoveries still need to be made before any theories can be confirmed. One notable contribution to this field was by Albert Hofmann who developed LSD, a psychedelic drug, as a cure to psychiatric problems (Vesna). Although the drug has been made illegal, the use of the substance is still prevalent today. In fact, studies showed that LSD produces a higher level of consciousness in human minds (Johnston). Although these “higher” levels don’t equate to a “better” state of mind, the use of the drug has been proposed as a viable treatment to therapeutic problems (Johnston). Additionally, the drug has widely been used as a way to boost creativity especially amongst individuals in the technology industry, the most notable user being Steve Jobs, who claimed that LSD helped him become more creative (Reynolds).

1950's LSD Experiment (Baverstock)

The impact of neuroscience in arts, known as neuroaesthetics, has also been largely debated. Neuroscientist Zeki claimed that the laws of the brain limit our capacity for art (Noe). However, Frazetto believed that neuroscience and arts has a triangular, bidirectional effect in our lives. He wrote that art allows scientists to be aware of the societal aspects of their work, and neuroscience discoveries influence how we perceive our artistic selves (Frazetto).

Example of Neuroaesthetics (Rzai)

Questions have yet to find answers within the study of our brains. Our brain is a mystery that requires both art and science to help uncover it, as writer Jonah Lehrer once said, ‘science needs art to frame the mystery, but art needs science so that not everything is a mystery’ (Frazetto).

Frazzetto, Giovanni, and Suzanne Anker. “Neuroculture.” Perspectives, vol. 10, Nov. 2009. Nature Reviews, Macmillan Publishers Limited.

Johnston, Ian. “First Evidence Found That LSD Produces 'Higher' Level of Consciousness, Scientists Claim.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 19 Apr. 2017, www.independent.co.uk/news/science/lsd-first-evidence-higher-level-consciousness-hallucinogenic-drug-scientists-a7690366.html.

Jung, Carl. “The Spiritual Problem of Modern Man.” Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 10: Civilization in Transition, doi:10.1515/9781400850976.74.

Noë, Alva. “Art and the Limits of Neuroscience.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 4 Dec. 2011, opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/art-and-the-limits-of-neuroscience/.

Reynolds, Justin. “People in Silicon Valley Are Using This Drug to Be More Creative.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 22 July 2016, www.businessinsider.com/tech-heads-are-getting-inspired-by-lsd-2016-7.

Vesna, Victoria. “Neuroscience + Art.” Unit 7. Desma 9, 13 May 2018, Los Angeles, University of California, Los Angeles, cole2.uconline.edu/courses/888567/pages/unit-7-view?module_item_id=16300821.

Baverstock, Troy, director. 1950's LSD Experiment. Youtube, Youtube Inc., 22 July 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydor_2TaoMg.

Rzai. “Neuroaesthetics.” Rzai, DLS, 2016, rzai.ca/new/index.php/neuroaesthetics/.

University of Pittsburg. “Neuroscience.” Neuroscience, University of Pittsburg, neuroscience.pitt.edu/.

Yunus, Kamran. “The Bottom Line.” The Bottom Line, UCSB, 20 Apr. 2016, thebottomline.as.ucsb.edu/2016/04/effects-of-lsd-on-brain.