The Literature Network - Theories of the mind: Wordsworth's anticipation of neural Darwinism. (William Wordsworth)

Theories of the mind: Wordsworth's anticipation of neural Darwinism. (William Wordsworth)

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From: Mosaic (Winnipeg)
Date: 19950601
Author:Miller, Michael G.

Poet William Wordsworth's views on the human intellect are in consonance with scientific philosopher Gerald M. Edelman's theories of neural Darwinism which contends that the human mind cannot be mechanically modeled for it is too complex for adequate analysis. Wordsworth's poetry actually preceded the theory which was formulated by Edelman during a separate historical period. This precedence of literature over scientific thought, in this instance, shows how the former could influence the latter.

Scientific theories of the mind used to illuminate works of literature almost always assume a ...

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