Author: Falco Tarassaco (Oberto Airaudi)
Publisher: Dhora Impresa Sociale - Editoria
ISBN: 887012102X
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 222
Book Description
Alchemy has been discussed for millennia and many are the texts that one can consult, all complex, occult, and suggesting experiments that are difficult to implement. Tradition handed down the image of the alchemist as a solitary researcher who, surrounded by alembics and distillers tries to turn lead into gold, manipulating toad tails, bat wings and other strange elements. His quest, a metaphor for human evolution. But centuries pass, times change and disciplines and the ways to achieve goals are transformed, too. The alchemical laboratory, full of bottles, retorts and dusty tomes, jealously protected from the light and the curiosity of the uninitiated is no longer needed. We are in the Age of Aquarius and the alchemical laboratory is us. We are in the Age of Aquarius and the alchemical laboratory is us. Everyone is the Alchemist at work, the laboratory and the element that gradually changes and becomes the result of the Great Work. All at the same time. Falco Tarassaco’s research of redefines the paradigm of alchemy, bringing it up to date and making it accessible to men and women of today. Alchemy means self-transformation with a desire to achieve spiritual results and more knowledge, acting on the laws governing time, matter and thought. The objective is to balance and learn to use the precious elements inside each one in order to become Magicians, aware creators of our spiritual path and our evolution.
Stories of an Alchemist
Author: Falco Tarassaco (Oberto Airaudi)
Publisher: Dhora Impresa Sociale - Editoria
ISBN: 887012102X
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 222
Book Description
Alchemy has been discussed for millennia and many are the texts that one can consult, all complex, occult, and suggesting experiments that are difficult to implement. Tradition handed down the image of the alchemist as a solitary researcher who, surrounded by alembics and distillers tries to turn lead into gold, manipulating toad tails, bat wings and other strange elements. His quest, a metaphor for human evolution. But centuries pass, times change and disciplines and the ways to achieve goals are transformed, too. The alchemical laboratory, full of bottles, retorts and dusty tomes, jealously protected from the light and the curiosity of the uninitiated is no longer needed. We are in the Age of Aquarius and the alchemical laboratory is us. We are in the Age of Aquarius and the alchemical laboratory is us. Everyone is the Alchemist at work, the laboratory and the element that gradually changes and becomes the result of the Great Work. All at the same time. Falco Tarassaco’s research of redefines the paradigm of alchemy, bringing it up to date and making it accessible to men and women of today. Alchemy means self-transformation with a desire to achieve spiritual results and more knowledge, acting on the laws governing time, matter and thought. The objective is to balance and learn to use the precious elements inside each one in order to become Magicians, aware creators of our spiritual path and our evolution.
Publisher: Dhora Impresa Sociale - Editoria
ISBN: 887012102X
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 222
Book Description
Alchemy has been discussed for millennia and many are the texts that one can consult, all complex, occult, and suggesting experiments that are difficult to implement. Tradition handed down the image of the alchemist as a solitary researcher who, surrounded by alembics and distillers tries to turn lead into gold, manipulating toad tails, bat wings and other strange elements. His quest, a metaphor for human evolution. But centuries pass, times change and disciplines and the ways to achieve goals are transformed, too. The alchemical laboratory, full of bottles, retorts and dusty tomes, jealously protected from the light and the curiosity of the uninitiated is no longer needed. We are in the Age of Aquarius and the alchemical laboratory is us. We are in the Age of Aquarius and the alchemical laboratory is us. Everyone is the Alchemist at work, the laboratory and the element that gradually changes and becomes the result of the Great Work. All at the same time. Falco Tarassaco’s research of redefines the paradigm of alchemy, bringing it up to date and making it accessible to men and women of today. Alchemy means self-transformation with a desire to achieve spiritual results and more knowledge, acting on the laws governing time, matter and thought. The objective is to balance and learn to use the precious elements inside each one in order to become Magicians, aware creators of our spiritual path and our evolution.
Witch Winnie in Venice and the Alchemist's Story
Author: Elizabeth Williams Champney
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Venice (Italy)
Languages : en
Pages : 352
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Venice (Italy)
Languages : en
Pages : 352
Book Description
Alchemy and Authority in the Holy Roman Empire
Author: Tara Nummedal
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226608573
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 279
Book Description
What distinguished the true alchemist from the fraud? This question animated the lives and labors of the common men—and occasionally women—who made a living as alchemists in the sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Holy Roman Empire. As purveyors of practical techniques, inventions, and cures, these entrepreneurs were prized by princely patrons, who relied upon alchemists to bolster their political fortunes. At the same time, satirists, artists, and other commentators used the figure of the alchemist as a symbol for Europe’s social and economic ills. Drawing on criminal trial records, contracts, laboratory inventories, satires, and vernacular alchemical treatises, Alchemy and Authority in the Holy Roman Empire situates the everyday alchemists, largely invisible to modern scholars until now, at the center of the development of early modern science and commerce. Reconstructing the workaday world of entrepreneurial alchemists, Tara Nummedal shows how allegations of fraud shaped their practices and prospects. These debates not only reveal enormously diverse understandings of what the “real” alchemy was and who could practice it; they also connect a set of little-known practitioners to the largest questions about commerce, trust, and intellectual authority in early modern Europe.
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226608573
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 279
Book Description
What distinguished the true alchemist from the fraud? This question animated the lives and labors of the common men—and occasionally women—who made a living as alchemists in the sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Holy Roman Empire. As purveyors of practical techniques, inventions, and cures, these entrepreneurs were prized by princely patrons, who relied upon alchemists to bolster their political fortunes. At the same time, satirists, artists, and other commentators used the figure of the alchemist as a symbol for Europe’s social and economic ills. Drawing on criminal trial records, contracts, laboratory inventories, satires, and vernacular alchemical treatises, Alchemy and Authority in the Holy Roman Empire situates the everyday alchemists, largely invisible to modern scholars until now, at the center of the development of early modern science and commerce. Reconstructing the workaday world of entrepreneurial alchemists, Tara Nummedal shows how allegations of fraud shaped their practices and prospects. These debates not only reveal enormously diverse understandings of what the “real” alchemy was and who could practice it; they also connect a set of little-known practitioners to the largest questions about commerce, trust, and intellectual authority in early modern Europe.
The Alchemist in Literature
Author: Theodore Ziolkowski
Publisher:
ISBN: 0198746830
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 252
Book Description
Unlike most other studies of alchemy and literature, which focus on alchemical imagery in poetry of specific periods or writers, this book traces the figure of the alchemist in Western literature from its first appearance in the Eighth Circle of Dante's Inferno down to the present. From the beginning alchemy has had two aspects: exoteric or operative (the transmutation of baser metals into gold) and esoteric or speculative (the spiritual transformation of the alchemist himself). From Dante to Ben Jonson, during the centuries when the belief in exoteric alchemy was still strong and exploited by many charlatans to deceive the gullible, writers in major works of many literatures treated alchemists with ridicule in an effort to expose their tricks. From the Renaissance to the Enlightenment, as that belief weakened, the figure of the alchemist disappeared, even though Protestant poets in England and Germany were still fond of alchemical images. But when eighteenth-century science almost wholly undermined alchemy, the figure of the alchemist began to emerge again in literature--now as a humanitarian hero or as a spirit striving for sublimation. Following these esoteric romanticizations, as scholarly interest in alchemy intensified, writers were attracted to the figure of the alchemist and his quest for power. The fin-de-siecle saw a further transformation as poets saw in the alchemist a symbol for the poet per se and others, influenced by the prevailing spiritism, as a manifestation of the religious spirit. During the interwar years, as writers sought surrogates for the widespread loss of religious faith, esoteric alchemy underwent a pronounced revival, and many writers turned to the figure of the alchemist as a spiritual model or, in the case of Paracelsus in Germany, as a national figurehead. This tendency, theorized by C. G. Jung in several major studies, inspired after World War II a vast popularization of the figure in novels--historical, set in the present, or juxtaposing past and present-- in England, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, and the United States. The inevitable result of this popularization was the trivialization of the figure in advertisements for healing and cooking or in articles about scientists and economists. In sum: the figure of the alchemist in literature provides a seismograph for major shifts in intellectual and cultural history.
Publisher:
ISBN: 0198746830
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 252
Book Description
Unlike most other studies of alchemy and literature, which focus on alchemical imagery in poetry of specific periods or writers, this book traces the figure of the alchemist in Western literature from its first appearance in the Eighth Circle of Dante's Inferno down to the present. From the beginning alchemy has had two aspects: exoteric or operative (the transmutation of baser metals into gold) and esoteric or speculative (the spiritual transformation of the alchemist himself). From Dante to Ben Jonson, during the centuries when the belief in exoteric alchemy was still strong and exploited by many charlatans to deceive the gullible, writers in major works of many literatures treated alchemists with ridicule in an effort to expose their tricks. From the Renaissance to the Enlightenment, as that belief weakened, the figure of the alchemist disappeared, even though Protestant poets in England and Germany were still fond of alchemical images. But when eighteenth-century science almost wholly undermined alchemy, the figure of the alchemist began to emerge again in literature--now as a humanitarian hero or as a spirit striving for sublimation. Following these esoteric romanticizations, as scholarly interest in alchemy intensified, writers were attracted to the figure of the alchemist and his quest for power. The fin-de-siecle saw a further transformation as poets saw in the alchemist a symbol for the poet per se and others, influenced by the prevailing spiritism, as a manifestation of the religious spirit. During the interwar years, as writers sought surrogates for the widespread loss of religious faith, esoteric alchemy underwent a pronounced revival, and many writers turned to the figure of the alchemist as a spiritual model or, in the case of Paracelsus in Germany, as a national figurehead. This tendency, theorized by C. G. Jung in several major studies, inspired after World War II a vast popularization of the figure in novels--historical, set in the present, or juxtaposing past and present-- in England, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, and the United States. The inevitable result of this popularization was the trivialization of the figure in advertisements for healing and cooking or in articles about scientists and economists. In sum: the figure of the alchemist in literature provides a seismograph for major shifts in intellectual and cultural history.
Traditional Chinese Stories
Author: Yau-Woon Ma
Publisher: Cheng & Tsui
ISBN: 9780887270710
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 634
Book Description
For centuries the Chinese referred to their fiction as xiaoshuo, etymologically meaning roadside gossip or small talk, and held it in relative disregard.
Publisher: Cheng & Tsui
ISBN: 9780887270710
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 634
Book Description
For centuries the Chinese referred to their fiction as xiaoshuo, etymologically meaning roadside gossip or small talk, and held it in relative disregard.
The Tantric Alchemist
Author: Peter Levenda
Publisher: Nicolas-Hays, Inc.
ISBN: 0892546298
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 392
Book Description
The Tantric Alchemist is a work on alchemy as decoded by Tantra and a work on Tantra as understood by alchemists. It uncovers works by Thomas Vaughan and suggests how he and his wife—a 17th-century Welsh couple unique in the history of western alchemy—met their fate when dealing with forces they knew only too well, but which were stronger than their ability to control them. Using the works of Vaughan as his text, Levenda applies the “twilight language” of Tantra to the surreal prose of the alchemist and in the process lays bare the lineaments of the arcane tradition that gave rise to the legend of Christian Rosenkreutz, the reputed founder of Rosicrucianism who learned his art in the East; and to the 19th- and 20th-century occult movements lead by such luminaries as P.B. Randolph, Theodore Reuss, Helena Blavatsky, and Aleister Crowley who also sought (and discovered) this technology in the religions and cultures of Asia. Readers will find that the many disparate threads of an authentic spiritual tradition are woven together here in a startling tapestry that reveals—without pretense or euphemism—the psycho-sexual technique that is at the root of both Tantra and alchemy: that is to say, of both Asian and European forms of esoteric praxis.
Publisher: Nicolas-Hays, Inc.
ISBN: 0892546298
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 392
Book Description
The Tantric Alchemist is a work on alchemy as decoded by Tantra and a work on Tantra as understood by alchemists. It uncovers works by Thomas Vaughan and suggests how he and his wife—a 17th-century Welsh couple unique in the history of western alchemy—met their fate when dealing with forces they knew only too well, but which were stronger than their ability to control them. Using the works of Vaughan as his text, Levenda applies the “twilight language” of Tantra to the surreal prose of the alchemist and in the process lays bare the lineaments of the arcane tradition that gave rise to the legend of Christian Rosenkreutz, the reputed founder of Rosicrucianism who learned his art in the East; and to the 19th- and 20th-century occult movements lead by such luminaries as P.B. Randolph, Theodore Reuss, Helena Blavatsky, and Aleister Crowley who also sought (and discovered) this technology in the religions and cultures of Asia. Readers will find that the many disparate threads of an authentic spiritual tradition are woven together here in a startling tapestry that reveals—without pretense or euphemism—the psycho-sexual technique that is at the root of both Tantra and alchemy: that is to say, of both Asian and European forms of esoteric praxis.
Modern Alchemy
Author: Mark Morrisson
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198041926
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 273
Book Description
Alchemists are generally held to be the quirky forefathers of science, blending occultism with metaphysical pursuits. Although many were intelligent and well-intentioned thinkers, the oft-cited goals of alchemy paint these antiquated experiments as wizardry, not scientific investigation. Whether seeking to produce a miraculous panacea or struggling to transmute lead into gold, the alchemists radical goals held little relevance to consequent scientific pursuits. Thus, the temptation is to view the transition from alchemy to modern science as one that discarded fantastic ideas about philosophers stones and magic potions in exchange for modest yet steady results. It has been less noted, however, that the birth of atomic science actually coincided with an efflorescence of occultism and esoteric religion that attached deep significance to questions about the nature of matter and energy. Mark Morrisson challenges the widespread dismissal of alchemy as a largely insignificant historical footnote to science by prying into the revival of alchemy and its influence on the emerging subatomic sciences of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.Morrisson demonstrates its surprising influence on the emerging subatomic sciences of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Specifically, Morrisson examines the resurfacing of occult circles during this time period and how their interest in alchemical tropes had a substantial and traceable impact upon the science of the day. Modern Alchemy chronicles several encounters between occult conceptions of alchemy and the new science, describing how academic chemists, inspired by the alchemy revival, attempted to transmute the elements; to make gold. Examining scientists publications, correspondence, talks, and laboratory notebooks as well as the writings of occultists, alchemical tomes, and science-fiction stories, he argues that during the birth of modern nuclear physics, the trajectories of science and occultism---so often considered antithetical---briefly merged.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198041926
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 273
Book Description
Alchemists are generally held to be the quirky forefathers of science, blending occultism with metaphysical pursuits. Although many were intelligent and well-intentioned thinkers, the oft-cited goals of alchemy paint these antiquated experiments as wizardry, not scientific investigation. Whether seeking to produce a miraculous panacea or struggling to transmute lead into gold, the alchemists radical goals held little relevance to consequent scientific pursuits. Thus, the temptation is to view the transition from alchemy to modern science as one that discarded fantastic ideas about philosophers stones and magic potions in exchange for modest yet steady results. It has been less noted, however, that the birth of atomic science actually coincided with an efflorescence of occultism and esoteric religion that attached deep significance to questions about the nature of matter and energy. Mark Morrisson challenges the widespread dismissal of alchemy as a largely insignificant historical footnote to science by prying into the revival of alchemy and its influence on the emerging subatomic sciences of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.Morrisson demonstrates its surprising influence on the emerging subatomic sciences of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Specifically, Morrisson examines the resurfacing of occult circles during this time period and how their interest in alchemical tropes had a substantial and traceable impact upon the science of the day. Modern Alchemy chronicles several encounters between occult conceptions of alchemy and the new science, describing how academic chemists, inspired by the alchemy revival, attempted to transmute the elements; to make gold. Examining scientists publications, correspondence, talks, and laboratory notebooks as well as the writings of occultists, alchemical tomes, and science-fiction stories, he argues that during the birth of modern nuclear physics, the trajectories of science and occultism---so often considered antithetical---briefly merged.
69 More Short Thai Stories for Intermediate Learners
Author: Adrian Gee
Publisher: Adrian Gee
ISBN:
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 182
Book Description
Discover a Deeper Connection with "69 More Short Thai Stories for Intermediate Learners"! Elevate your journey in mastering the Thai language with our meticulously curated collection, tailor-made for B1/B2 level learners. This sequel to our beginner's series delves into the heart of Thailand, offering a rich tapestry of stories that bridge the gap between language learning and cultural immersion. Why Choose "69 More Short Thai Stories for Intermediate Learners" for Your Language Progression? 1. Intermediate Focused: Each story is intricately crafted to challenge and engage intermediate learners, pushing the boundaries of your comprehension and expression in Thai. 2. Cultural Immersion: Beyond language, these stories serve as your portal into the depths of Thai culture, history, and the soul-stirring landscapes that define this ancient nation. 3. Vocabulary Expansion: Enhance your vocabulary with essential, high-frequency words and phrases, seamlessly integrated into captivating narratives for effective learning and retention. 4. Advanced Grammar in Context: Experience advanced grammatical structures woven naturally into each story, facilitating an intuitive understanding and mastery of complex language patterns. 5. Interactive Learning: Solidify your knowledge with exercises designed to complement each story, testing comprehension and offering immediate feedback to aid in your progression. Standout Features of "69 More Short Thai Stories for Intermediate Learners": • Targeted Intermediate Content: Specifically designed for B1/B2 learners, this collection raises the bar, offering new challenges and opportunities for growth in your Thai language journey. • Deep Dive into Thai Culture: Each story is a carefully painted scene of Thailand's traditions, daily life, and the hidden gems waiting to be discovered by the curious learner. • Engaging and Effective: Say goodbye to monotonous language drills. Our stories make learning Thai an adventure, captivating your interest while broadening your linguistic and cultural horizons. Unlock the Richness of Thai Language and Culture: "69 More Short Thai Stories for Intermediate Learners" is not just a book; it's a gateway to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Thai language. Ideal for anyone looking to enhance their fluency, travelers desiring to enrich their visit to Thailand, or those wishing to connect more profoundly with their Thai heritage. Continue your Thai language adventure with confidence. Secure your copy of "69 More Short Thai Stories for Intermediate Learners" today and take a significant leap toward fluency and cultural comprehension!
Publisher: Adrian Gee
ISBN:
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 182
Book Description
Discover a Deeper Connection with "69 More Short Thai Stories for Intermediate Learners"! Elevate your journey in mastering the Thai language with our meticulously curated collection, tailor-made for B1/B2 level learners. This sequel to our beginner's series delves into the heart of Thailand, offering a rich tapestry of stories that bridge the gap between language learning and cultural immersion. Why Choose "69 More Short Thai Stories for Intermediate Learners" for Your Language Progression? 1. Intermediate Focused: Each story is intricately crafted to challenge and engage intermediate learners, pushing the boundaries of your comprehension and expression in Thai. 2. Cultural Immersion: Beyond language, these stories serve as your portal into the depths of Thai culture, history, and the soul-stirring landscapes that define this ancient nation. 3. Vocabulary Expansion: Enhance your vocabulary with essential, high-frequency words and phrases, seamlessly integrated into captivating narratives for effective learning and retention. 4. Advanced Grammar in Context: Experience advanced grammatical structures woven naturally into each story, facilitating an intuitive understanding and mastery of complex language patterns. 5. Interactive Learning: Solidify your knowledge with exercises designed to complement each story, testing comprehension and offering immediate feedback to aid in your progression. Standout Features of "69 More Short Thai Stories for Intermediate Learners": • Targeted Intermediate Content: Specifically designed for B1/B2 learners, this collection raises the bar, offering new challenges and opportunities for growth in your Thai language journey. • Deep Dive into Thai Culture: Each story is a carefully painted scene of Thailand's traditions, daily life, and the hidden gems waiting to be discovered by the curious learner. • Engaging and Effective: Say goodbye to monotonous language drills. Our stories make learning Thai an adventure, captivating your interest while broadening your linguistic and cultural horizons. Unlock the Richness of Thai Language and Culture: "69 More Short Thai Stories for Intermediate Learners" is not just a book; it's a gateway to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Thai language. Ideal for anyone looking to enhance their fluency, travelers desiring to enrich their visit to Thailand, or those wishing to connect more profoundly with their Thai heritage. Continue your Thai language adventure with confidence. Secure your copy of "69 More Short Thai Stories for Intermediate Learners" today and take a significant leap toward fluency and cultural comprehension!
The Arabian Nights Encyclopedia [2 volumes]
Author: Ulrich Marzolph
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 185109640X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 950
Book Description
The most comprehensive treatment of the Arabian Nights ever published, with more than 800 detailed encyclopedic entries and a wealth of authoritative essays and resources. The tales of the Arabian Nights have long been the focus of scholarly research and critique, but no English language work has ever attempted an all-embracing treatment of them. The fruit of years of research, The Arabian Nights Encyclopedia is the first comprehensive reference work introducing both the Arabian Nights and the context of their genesis and aftermath in Near Eastern, European, and world culture. Editors Ulrich Marzolph, one of the world's foremost scholars of Near Eastern narrative culture, and Richard van Leeuwen, a prominent scholar of the Arabian Nights, present detailed, authoritative, and up-to-date research on virtually all aspects of the tales, including major protagonists, themes, important translations, textual history, adaptations, reworkings, works inspired by the Arabian Nights, and aspects of literary theory, and provide extensive bibliographies for each tale. In addition to the 800+ encyclopedic entries and numerous essays, the work introduces research that has not previously been published, making it an invaluable resource to scholars, educators, students, and the general public, as well as an essential addition to the core collection of academic and public libraries.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 185109640X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 950
Book Description
The most comprehensive treatment of the Arabian Nights ever published, with more than 800 detailed encyclopedic entries and a wealth of authoritative essays and resources. The tales of the Arabian Nights have long been the focus of scholarly research and critique, but no English language work has ever attempted an all-embracing treatment of them. The fruit of years of research, The Arabian Nights Encyclopedia is the first comprehensive reference work introducing both the Arabian Nights and the context of their genesis and aftermath in Near Eastern, European, and world culture. Editors Ulrich Marzolph, one of the world's foremost scholars of Near Eastern narrative culture, and Richard van Leeuwen, a prominent scholar of the Arabian Nights, present detailed, authoritative, and up-to-date research on virtually all aspects of the tales, including major protagonists, themes, important translations, textual history, adaptations, reworkings, works inspired by the Arabian Nights, and aspects of literary theory, and provide extensive bibliographies for each tale. In addition to the 800+ encyclopedic entries and numerous essays, the work introduces research that has not previously been published, making it an invaluable resource to scholars, educators, students, and the general public, as well as an essential addition to the core collection of academic and public libraries.
Horror Stories
Author: Darryl Jones
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0199685436
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 553
Book Description
Human beings are the only species to have evolved the trait of emotional crying. We weep at tragedies in our lives and in those of others - remarkably even when they are fictional characters in film, opera, music, novels, and theatre. Why have we developed art forms - most powerfully, music - which move us to sadness and tears? This question forms the backdrop to Michael Trimble's discussion of emotional crying, its physiology, and its evolutionary implications. His exploration examines the connections with other distinctively human features: the development of language, self-consciousness, religious practices, and empathy. Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the brain have uncovered unique human characteristics; mirror neurones, for example, explain why we unconsciously imitate actions and behaviour. Whereas Nietzsche argued that artistic tragedy was born with the ancient Greeks, Trimble places its origins far earlier. His neurophysiological and evolutionary insights shed fascinating light onto this enigmatic part of our humanity.
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0199685436
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 553
Book Description
Human beings are the only species to have evolved the trait of emotional crying. We weep at tragedies in our lives and in those of others - remarkably even when they are fictional characters in film, opera, music, novels, and theatre. Why have we developed art forms - most powerfully, music - which move us to sadness and tears? This question forms the backdrop to Michael Trimble's discussion of emotional crying, its physiology, and its evolutionary implications. His exploration examines the connections with other distinctively human features: the development of language, self-consciousness, religious practices, and empathy. Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the brain have uncovered unique human characteristics; mirror neurones, for example, explain why we unconsciously imitate actions and behaviour. Whereas Nietzsche argued that artistic tragedy was born with the ancient Greeks, Trimble places its origins far earlier. His neurophysiological and evolutionary insights shed fascinating light onto this enigmatic part of our humanity.