Schizophrenia and autism and the divided brain

This article delves into the relationship between perception, relations, and the divided brain, particularly focusing on schizophrenia and autism as discussed in Iain McGilchrist's work The Matter With Things. It explores how these conditions reveal the left hemisphere's dominance in hyper-rationalism, literal-mindedness, and hyper-consciousness, leading to a fragmented and reified experience of reality. Schizophrenic and autistic individuals often exhibit a rigid, systematised approach to understanding the world, where spontaneity and the natural flow of life are suppressed. The article discusses the consequences of this left-hemispheric dominance, including a disconnection from the fluidity of life and a tendency toward re-presentation rather than direct experience, ultimately affecting social relations and the perception of reality.

  • Understand the concept of hyper-rationalism and its manifestation in schizophrenia and autism.

  • Explore the implications of literal-mindedness in left hemisphere dominance and its effects on perception.

  • Analyze the impact of hyper-consciousness on spontaneity and the natural flow of life in individuals with schizophrenia and autism.

  • Examine the role of the right hemisphere in providing a sense of grounding and its importance in maintaining balance in perception.

  • Discuss the phenomenon of re-presentation and its consequences for the perception of reality in schizophrenic individuals.

  • Identify the broader cultural implications of left hemisphere dominance as explored in McGilchrist's work.

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