Narrative and Consciousness: Literature, Psychology, and the Brain

Recently, there are more and more applications of cognitive and neurosciences to literary studies. Many humanists are skeptical about such interdisciplinary attempts, but there is no reasonable ground for refusing the encounter of the disciplines. If it is not possible to make up a synthesis of science and humanities for the moment, we can have much benefit from such an encounter that will surely enrich both sides. In this regard, the book “Narrative and Consciousness; Literature, Psychology and the Brain” edited by Gary Fireman, Ted McVay Jr. and Owen Flanagan is quite a successful work. We can find their papers by psychologists, literary people, philosophers and neuroscientists, each one of whom develops an interesting theoretical proposal in his or her particular tone, making up finally a beautiful ensemble. The secret of the success lies in the editors’ firm decision to hold the key concept ‘narrative’ all through the book.