Thanks for these posts - such an important perspective that needs much wider exposure in psychology, sociology, and political dialogue in general.
This feels so true... "A strange and tragic epoch is passing, in which power in many countries has fallen into the hands of aberrant individuals, and great masses of citizens have succumbed to the spellbinding of their supposedly extraordinary qualities... It can be predicted that history in the near future will call our times—the pathocratic era"
The point on Lenin - “Even the Russian version that the right hemisphere of his brain atrophied cannot be ruled out.” - is very interesting given, as you say, what we know from McGilchrist.
So at least, his late illness may have been related to LH problems. Still think his general craziness during his earlier years must have had an LH-dominant component, though.
Right, thanks for looking further into it. No doubt Lenin had a LH bias. McGilchist’s characterization of RH pathology (LH dominance) goes a long way in explaining schizophrenic behavior/thought but no so much for the psychopath. However, in the absence of any pathology, and a natural bias toward the LH, the psychopath can enslave RH functions for social manipulation while remaining entrenched in his empathy-devoid world of the LH. As McGilchrist says, the emissary has become the master. At least that’s the way I’m reading it.
Yep, that's the way I see it too. McGilchrist seems to be saying that barring any gross physical damage, modern man still shows similarities to those with brain damage in their bias to the LH. I think that bias natural to various forms of personalty dysfunction.
He does specify western man as opposed to modern man, citing many RH characteristics of the “oriental”, however I disagree with him on this point with China being the most startling example of a technocracy - a LH manifestation if there ever was one. Look at the lack of empathy we observe in videos of people falling down in the streets of China and others walking past without concern.
Nevertheless I do understand some of the other ‘traditional’ differences like a keener perception of background and context in Asian culture (a RH characteristic) and tolerance of ambiguity - but these quickly fade as technocracy engulfs the ‘global community’.
Thanks for that clarification. Re: China, I wonder how much of the blame can be placed on the fact that modern China is essentially based on a Western ideology that sought to destroy its traditions: Marxism-Leninism. But regardless, the world is so connected that LH trends tend to homogenize globally.
Thanks for these posts - such an important perspective that needs much wider exposure in psychology, sociology, and political dialogue in general.
This feels so true... "A strange and tragic epoch is passing, in which power in many countries has fallen into the hands of aberrant individuals, and great masses of citizens have succumbed to the spellbinding of their supposedly extraordinary qualities... It can be predicted that history in the near future will call our times—the pathocratic era"
The point on Lenin - “Even the Russian version that the right hemisphere of his brain atrophied cannot be ruled out.” - is very interesting given, as you say, what we know from McGilchrist.
Doing some research on this. Looks like Lob.'s memory may have been confused. In his last year(s), Lenin suffered paralysis on his right, and his LEFT hemisphere had abnormalities. http://www.neurotoxicology.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lenin-en.pdf
So at least, his late illness may have been related to LH problems. Still think his general craziness during his earlier years must have had an LH-dominant component, though.
Right, thanks for looking further into it. No doubt Lenin had a LH bias. McGilchist’s characterization of RH pathology (LH dominance) goes a long way in explaining schizophrenic behavior/thought but no so much for the psychopath. However, in the absence of any pathology, and a natural bias toward the LH, the psychopath can enslave RH functions for social manipulation while remaining entrenched in his empathy-devoid world of the LH. As McGilchrist says, the emissary has become the master. At least that’s the way I’m reading it.
What do you think?
Yep, that's the way I see it too. McGilchrist seems to be saying that barring any gross physical damage, modern man still shows similarities to those with brain damage in their bias to the LH. I think that bias natural to various forms of personalty dysfunction.
He does specify western man as opposed to modern man, citing many RH characteristics of the “oriental”, however I disagree with him on this point with China being the most startling example of a technocracy - a LH manifestation if there ever was one. Look at the lack of empathy we observe in videos of people falling down in the streets of China and others walking past without concern.
Nevertheless I do understand some of the other ‘traditional’ differences like a keener perception of background and context in Asian culture (a RH characteristic) and tolerance of ambiguity - but these quickly fade as technocracy engulfs the ‘global community’.
Thanks for that clarification. Re: China, I wonder how much of the blame can be placed on the fact that modern China is essentially based on a Western ideology that sought to destroy its traditions: Marxism-Leninism. But regardless, the world is so connected that LH trends tend to homogenize globally.