Can the Brain Explain Art? | Episode 2003 | Closer To Truth

What’s the relationship between the mental activity of our minds and the physical actions of our brain? It’s called The Mind-Body Problem. To many, it’s a perennial problem in philosophy of mind. Can art provide fresh insight? Featuring interviews with Anjan Chatterjee, Semir Zeki, V.S. Ramachandran, Raymond Tallis, and Antonio Damasio.
Season 20, Episode 3 - #CloserToTruth
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Closer To Truth host Robert Lawrence Kuhn takes viewers on an intriguing global journey into cutting-edge labs, magnificent libraries, hidden gardens, and revered sanctuaries in order to discover state-of-the-art ideas and make them real and relevant.
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Closer to Truth presents the world’s greatest thinkers exploring humanity’s deepest questions. Discover fundamental issues of existence. Engage new and diverse ways of thinking. Appreciate intense debates. Share your own opinions. Seek your own answers.

[@Soli_Deo_Gloria_.]

Art flows from the creative power of being made with an _Imago Dei._ *:-)*

[@mockupguy3577]

One thing is certain, there is a lot of art my brain can’t explain.

[@matishakabdullah5874]

Never. Consciousness experiences, appreciates and explains art. Brain as usual is information collector, processer, translator and transmitter to mind's conscious agent to recognize, feel and appreciate/give meaning. Brain is blind to meaning.

[@bhushankaduful]

Very Interesting thought. Thank you 👍

[@brian4019]

Art is now being created by AI. Using the same decisions made by the brain regarding balance, color, texture, proximity, repetition, etc.

[@POMARTguide]

This episode gave me many answers to question about how art in consumed by the brain. You brought a pragramatic answer to the question by consulting many experts. This is very profound, you have done a lot of research . Thank you very much for sharing.

[@vitr1916]

In my opinions, there is 2 things that really affected to heart and brain: Art & music. Artist and song writers need an openly mind and heart for creating a good product (sound, color and spirit).

[@pg9112471]

Art, isn't it subjective? Isn't the power of suggestion a connection to our emotional system at a subconscious level brought out to our awareness that makes art meaningful. Art? Can it change you? Can there be enough power in a piece made by an artist that brings on change? Yes of course, we are after all a highly suggestable species. Reality after all is subjective because the tools for our discernment are subjective. Needless to say, Objective reality exists of course but, how can you distinguish between the two in certain situations of course like say religion, conspiracy theories, art, etc. The mind is a wonderous universe full of discovery.

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

Beauty an aspect of emotional part of brain? Could beauty be an emotional connection beyond what the senses perceive?

[@NeverTalkToCops1]

Yes.

[@joaobarbara7143]

And what about art creation? Where does it comes from? The inspiration I mean

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

Does art have to do with expressions of subjectivity or existence; the effect art has on subjectivity?

[@Kostly]

The brain can't even help us describe or relate basic colors to someone who's never experienced them. The idea that consciousness is reduceable to neuronal interaction, at this point, is just ridiculous. I think we can all stop thinking that brains create consciousness. It's the other way around. Consciousness creates brains.

[@lindal.7242]

My guess is that art is a channeled endeavor that goes beyond the brain.

[@kinematics4999]

Art is the mirror of the Brain..... Unexplainable

[@paulwoodruffe1474]

I am an artist, and almost dying of meningitis turbo charged my creativity.

[@evildead7549]

Does life mimic art or does art mimic life Depends on the style of innovation the erra is revolving around. You might find that art. Is imitating Life more if the revolutionary era changes and the average mind does not know exactly what it is trying to imitate in form of artistic expression Due to how held back information is in the technologicaly revolutionary era so it inherently goes to the topics of myths and legends. Or perhaps an artists experience with the technologicaly revolutionary erra are being purposely shrouded by The off beat old works of other very creative artists.

[@evanjameson5437]

Now this is art work--one of the greatest scenes in movie history: Margin Call with Jeremy Irons and Kevin Spacey... kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4SnmJZ4Yq9nnLM Or try this for the perfect final scene: Climax Clip from Hell or High Water... outstanding in every way kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2WUimSdotJse6c Both are art forms at the top of their games!

[@rileyhoffman6629]

So, Robert, my own PhD from UCLA is in art history (which means also deep dives into film/feminist/critical theory, myth, linguistics, sociology, anthropology, ecology…). My own work was with blacksmiths in west Africa. I recall one man telling me, “Sometimes something comes from my hands that didn’t come from me.” I taught for years. Every term someone would ask the question and I’d squeeze out a dim response and start a discussion, always a good thing. I’ve come to define art, loosely, as, a human creation which, when encountered as “art,” an individual walks away from somehow changed, enlightened. It’s probably wrong-headed and certainly incomplete, but it might give someone taking the only art class s/he will ever take, a different perspective on what to hang on a wall or how to vote. I very much enjoy your truths.

[@spiralsun1]

I believe great art can be made without the organism even knowing what it is doing itself, which means that someone or something else is doing it. 🤔🤷‍♀️ Fits well with what you said. Thanks 🙏🏻 ❤️

[@CloserToTruthTV]

Thoughtful insights, Riley; we appreciate your support.

[@spiralsun1]

Great art works highlight universal meaning across levels, beyond the categories of instrumental word use and symbols. They can do this with what is included or by what is left out-like those pictures which imply a shape that is not there in some less concrete way. A mnemonic device for the nonlinear connections, an unexpected palace for the echoes of living memory. The communications of god. So you see that these videos are like art. Whether you agree with them or not. Thanks 🙏🏻 🥰

[@mainman2256]

Even after hours of interviews like these I still haven’t heard a single compelling reason to think the brain might not explain the mind in any way.. it seems we’re quickly approaching full explanation already and, once we are close enough, it will be obvious it was always the case..

[@niftyszn9469]

I think its important to recognize the difference between cognition and consciousness. The two seems to constantly get collapsed together and its also easier to comprehend it that way. Its also important to know that the mind is reliant on the brain, of course if you chop off my head I lose my consciousness and awareness. Although simply looking at the brain wont give you the full idea of what a subjective experience is, it will only explain to you physical stuff and knowledge. The only way to truly understand it is through experience. It might be this way because science is supposed to be about an objective observation, yet we tend to leave out the subjective being doing the observing and labelling the things as "objective truth".

[@0-by-1_Publishing_LLC]

(12:15) *RLK: "Could neurasthenics eventually explain all about art?"* ... Attempting to fully explain art in terms of neurasthenic brain function is like trying to explain Michelangelo's _"Pieta"_ in terms of the _cause and effect_ function of a chisel. Science needs to accept that there are so many aspects of Existence that cannot be explained through physiology or be reproduced in a laboratory setting. Our existence is not due to benign chemical processes, particle interactions, and wave functions. We exist because "Existence" (Consciousness) wants to experience *simplicity* juxtaposed with *complexity.* This is why humans eventually established *minimalism* and *hyperrealism* as endpoints on a _"closed spectrum of Art."_

[@samhangster]

The Quran could possibly be art that describes the divine

[@scoreprinceton]

Not sure what the medium of communication (the language) plays a role in these subjective/objective affectations. The spacetime of the medium might transcend the divides, perhaps to explain the generational relationships of cognitive aesthetics.

[@FS-ql1hy]

A perfect person could never understand or explain the brain, the mind, or consciousness. Only a broken mind can understand. Only a person who can see the things wrong from the inside out can explain what it is. Giving the problem to perfect minds and perfect brains will never lead us to know. Give the task to imperfect people and the answers will be answered… the more imperfect the better… until scientists and psychologists understand this they will always be without the answers

[@poorboi8093]

If Consciousness is fundamental, then it would explain art.

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

Is structure in physical brain used for sensory perception, while flow has to do with emotion and feeling a connection?

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

Does the brain seek an emotional connection beyond the structure of nature perceived through the senses?

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

Did something happen to human brain, compared to animal brains, that makes it more artistic?

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

Maybe art draws the brain into emotional connection beyond nature?

[@djart4866]

Some things in life shouldn’t be explained.

[@terrrell7798]

Art heals. I do art meditation and I've helped alot of people get rid of their depression, trauma, insomnia, and physical pain, through an art exercise I created as a kid.

[@Sharperthanu1]

I'm a trained artist and I can honestly tell you THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS ART.Also fine "art" is only worth money once it's internationally famous.

[@sonnycorbi1970]

A “trained artist” is not necessarily and Artist though a “trained artist” can be an Artist - however a “trained artist” who is an Artist was an Artist before the Artist was trained - NO ONE CAN BE TRAINED TO BE AN ARTIST -

[@shostycellist]

I'm a professional musician. Duchamp and Cage peddled this line of thinking and the result of it is clear - if there is no such thing as art then that is exactly what you get. And in its place we've been offered a bunch of Brillo boxes and transistor radios dialed in to random places. In other words, they were nothing more than proponents of artistic nihilism. No thanks.

[@nelsonpinheiro1148]

@@sonnycorbi1970 right. We born artists. But some faking the are artists.

[@sonnycorbi1970]

@@nelsonpinheiro1148 there are individuals Artest then there are collective movements in transition - depicting the direction society is moving - I don't judge movements, over the years I've learned not to - I've was born a visual Artist and I'm very grateful - I don't particularly care for Duchamp or Warhol but I don't judge them, they too cast a shadow -

[@nelsonpinheiro1148]

@@sonnycorbi1970 to much culture. I like that.

[@jlvandat69]

"Can the brain explain art?" Interesting question. IMO for thousands of years art has attracted the interest of many people because it's often without explanation, i.e., open to a subjective interpretation of meaning. That's what usually keeps the masses visiting museums, the "mystic" or confusing aspects of viewing it.

[@unclebirdman]

I like to think that art tickles the brain

[@faz7531]

Beautiful episode Robert. Godspeed.

[@luisdiego22002]

What happens with art that is not aesthetically pleasing?

[@nelsonpinheiro1148]

Teach us the singularity. So beautiful, no math no word can express.

[@robertl.6919]

The brain is a quite well understood biochemical organ. We know what it is made of, how connections and electric currents travel, where most body functions are located, and we can see real time brain activity on screen. We know that if we alter either electric currents or chemical balance, we can go as far as completely change perception and personality. Language and memory are probably the basis for consciousness. I understand the need to find an external " force" or energy source that would interlock with our individual brain and would create an " eternal soul" or " spiritual elevated consciousness " that survives our physical body. Otherwise it is difficult to even justify the existence of consciousness if it is to just fade away for eternity and never be again. Scary thoughts but... Might as well be as simple as that...

[@ltwig476]

As a 50 year practicing artist, art does not attempt to mimic life. Rather it attempts to greaten the emotions found while experiencing life. Humans strive to feel more about shape, color, atmosphere, rhythm and all. It commonly has a connection to the nature of things. But this is simply the artist knowing subconsciously that brains must have things to connect to be capable of realization and feeling.

[@matterasmachine]

Art is one of ways to fulfil our instinctive needs to change the world

[@bluelotus542]

Through the subtle material body, which is made of material mind, intelligence and ego, the conscious self, who has his own spiritual mind, intelligence an ego, uses the brain to act in this world.

[@OdjoAdja]

always amazed with the art that creared from the artist who has chemical imbalance in their brain such as Kusama, Kahlo etc.. in the documentation about 'Sleep Science' there's a person who can create good art sketch during his sleep, there's also savant who has great photography memory create city sketches with great detail..

[@owencampbell4947]

Actually, if a brain is healthy it can explain everything, provided it has information of the subject.

[@rafqueraf]

Everything we feel we think we know comes from our brain. What a non scientific way of starting. Can you prove that assumption ? How can you talk about everything in a scientific way without knowing everything in a scientific way ? If you want to go that scientific path. It's easier by not using the word "everything".

[@papajeno9185]

Dr Khun Please please please would you try and interview Paul Stamets on the subject of consciousness. I love closer to truth its the my favourite Thank you 👍

[@VeganWithAraygun]

My brain can't explain art, but I can.

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

Structure and flow in physical brain?

[@lifemantra0002]

Nice talking.

[@kevinwelsh7490]

art = beauty ?? I wouldn't say that

[@stopPlannedObsolescence]

Thank for posting entire episodes with intro a background music like before

[@TheDeepening718]

Art exists in the simplest forms of implicit opposites. When light and dark were created mutually, the contrast between light dark is art.

[@mapleham5633]

That sounds dumb

[@thomasvieth6063]

In all the episode I've seen so far, and there were a few, I never had the feeling that you were further from truth. Brain has interests and not aesthetic experience

[@globalgeographic8908]

I always liked this show and learn many things from it 🧠🧠

[@tolbaszy8067]

Life is wonder or despair. Artists point out wonder.

[@philippeperreault2604]

I get that you really really really want there to be a soul or some supernatural source for consciousness, but it is clear to me that our thoughts and emotions, what you call "mind" comes from the physical activity of our brain!

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

Art demonstrates that the brain connects to a reality beyond nature?

[@flaviusnita6008]

Art is the common denominator for all brains!