Where are we now ?

Art, philosophy and science work towards the same goal: to understand and control what we sense is going on, both within us and outside us. In regards to our internal selves, neurologist Antonio Domasio observed "the brain is the captive audience of the body".

Our minds monitor themselves as well, and we put forward explanations for what and how we think. For example, Plato's 'World of Perfect Ideas' could be thought of as a rationalization of the presence of essences and abstractions created by the visual brain in its efforts to record the particulars and complex images it sees.

Unfortunately the images the brain produces are always more perfect than the reality ad this generate 'angst' or discontentment. For neurologist Semir Zeki visual art produces these 'pure' forms and provides us with catharsis from our search for them.

In respect to controlling outside forces, some thinkers suggest that primitive cave art may be a form of sympathetic magic, that is the control of things in Nature by producing and manipulating images or models of them. I have extended this definiton to cover all art forms that represent what we consider to be dangerous and worrying. For example, Hamlet for both the author and the generations spectators it is a means to overcome our existential problems that come from consciousness.

However, the arts (including philosophies and religions) and sciences, not only give us a great deal of control and understanding over Nature and our minds, they are also responsible for directing our thoughts and lives; that is, if we choose to let them.

This brings us to the theme of the next lesson: 'memes' and cultural evolution.