Bibliograph

Jane on the brain, exploring the science of social intelligence with Jane Austen, Wendy Jones

Type

Label

Jane on the brain, exploring the science of social intelligence with Jane Austen, Wendy Jones

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 359-379) and index

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Jane on the brain

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

975112215

Responsibility statement

Wendy Jones

Sub title

exploring the science of social intelligence with Jane Austen

Summary

"Why is Jane Austen so phenomenally popular? Why do we read Pride and Prejudice again and again? Why do we delight in Emma's mischievous schemes? Why do we care that Anne Elliot of Persuasion suffers? We care because it is our biological destiny to be interested in people and their stories--the human brain is a social brain. And Austen's characters are so believable, that for many of us, they are not just imaginary beings, but friends whom we know and love. And thanks to Austen's ability to capture the breadth and depth of human psychology so thoroughly, we feel that she empathizes with us, her readers. Humans have a profound need for empathy, to know that we are not alone with our joys and sorrows. And then there is attachment, denial, narcissism, and of course, love, to name a few. We see ourselves and others reflected in Austen's work. Social intelligence is one of the most highly developed human traits when compared with other animals How did is evolve? Why is it so valuable? Wendy Jones explores the many facets of social intelligence and juxtaposes them with the Austen cannon. Brilliantly original and insightful, this fusion of psychology, neuroscience, and literature provides a heightened understanding of one of our most beloved cultural institutions--and our own minds"--Amazon.com

Table Of Contents

Empathic Austen -- Precious feelings -- Pride and prejudice and brains -- The sense of sensibility -- I never knew myself -- Changing your mind -- The map of love -- Ties that bond -- Growing regulation -- Empathic Emma -- Mentalizing and reality -- Crimes of the heartless: empathy disorders, part one -- Crimes of the heartless: empathy disorders, part two -- 'No one so proper, so capable'

resource.variantTitle

Exploring the esience of social intelligence with Jane Austen

Classification