Title in English: Two hemispheres – two worlds. On the relationship between a brain asymmetry and trends in the contemporary western society
Contemporary western society is going through many dramatic changes and there are many people who view current societal development disapprovingly. Dissatisfaction with the current state of society is widely spread in general public and also many experts are pointing out the worsening state of our environment, increasing inequality, a degradation of social capital and the increase in mental illness. There are many books which were devoted to the question how to reverse such an unfavourable development in our society. The monograph Two hemispheres – two worlds looks on this issue through novel lens of differences in functioning of brain hemispheres. Research in brain hemisphere differences has done a remarkable progress since the overcome dichotomy of rational left hemisphere and emotional right hemisphere. Two hemispheres – two worlds introduces up-to-date findings of brain asymmetry research and identifies as a common trait of all particular differences right-hemispheric experience-affiliation and left-hemispheric representation-affiliation. Left-hemispheric take on the world is subsequently identified as a major modus operandi of our society and it is shown a striking parallel between our current societal ills and problems of people with dysfunctional right-hemisphere. Finally, it is sketched which specific policy could contribute to more “hemispherically-balanced” society.
