Month: March 2018

While reading my essay I underlined the transitions, circled the key terms, and put boxes around the pointing terms. I noticed that a majority of my essay was circled with the words science and art as the essay revolves around these two terms and how they should be integrated into the laboratory, classrooms, and society. The word integrated, technology, human, creative, balance, and equilibrium were also circled a lot. These key terms were the things that I relied on the most when trying to get my main argument across. The transition words that were underlined were useful to make my points clear and flow from one to the other. Although, I did notice that I could use more transitions as I did not have quite as many as I expected. There are quite a few boxes around terms such as “it, who, he, his, itself” which can be replaced with could be replaced with terms that are more direct and clear.

Part 1) In Jonah Lehrer’s article, he argues that there needs to be a balance between the world of art and science and the gap that separates them needs to be filled. He claims that “science is public culture” and that “science is the only news” (Page 5). While science is the main focus of today, Lehrer explains that we need art to give science a “new lens” because it is not giving society all the answers it needs and art can help bring a new perspective.  Lehrer believes that a science based world is more of a practical problem that is holding back science’s theories. Science alone cannot solve life’s mysteries and therefore needs the help of art as Lehrer states. Artists capture life experiences and emotions whereas science cannot understand the mind from the inside in the same way.

Part 2)

Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle: This principle explains how there is a fundamental limit to what we understand about quantum particles and nature in a small, specific sense.

The Bridging Principle: The neural event that shows the activity of brain cells and how it creates  experience and consciousness.

Reductionism: Principle of analyzing and describing complex events in terms of phenomena that represent a simpler explanation.

Synapse: Junction between nerve cells in the nervous system that permits a neuron to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron.

Epiphenomenon: A secondary effect or byproduct that arises from but doesn’t influence a process.

Holistic perspective: Engaging and developing the whole person, this can be in a physical, spiritual, or emotional level.

Metaphor: A figure of speech where a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

Part 3) Virginia Woolf is an English writer who uses consciousness as a narrative device. She is quoted in Lehrer’s essay as she claimed that the role of a novelist is to determine and explain the human mind on a daily basis. She is thought to describe the mind from the inside which supports Lehrer’s argument that art is needed in this science based world because it explores the human mind. Arthur Eddington is an english astronomer, physicist, mathematician, and philosopher of science. According to Lehrer he compared the expansion of the universe to an inflated balloon. This was said through an analogy which relates the importance of art to the studies of science related material in order for a better understanding of the concept.

1) Immediate Context: The article known as “Necessary Edges; Arts, Empathy, and Education” written by Yo Yo Ma. The article was originally published on the World Post in January 2014. Yo Yo Ma is a cellist and songwriter who is famous for winning Grammy Awards and has produced 90 albums. Yo Yo Ma attended Juilliard school and Harvard University. He is both talented and smart, characteristics that his article revolves around.

2) Imposed Context: My purpose for reading this text is to get a better understanding of the world around me, besides just technological and science based things. Reading the article incorporates the meaning of art and creativity in my world that momentarily revolves around science and technology. While all my classes are science based (besides this one english course) and all my homework is online, it is relieving to finally hear the words art and creativity. This article evokes emotion for me as it motivates me to become more creative.

3) Internal Context:  Yo Yo Ma tries to explain in his article why the world needs both art and science, not just science. There needs to be an equilibrium in the world by adding art back into the picture and switching STEM to STEAM or else humans will be avoiding things such as art which they need in order to be creative and evoke emotion. While incorporating his personal experiences and beliefs he is allowing the reader to relate and follow along with his argument.

4) Lemmings: A small, short-tailed, thickset rodent related to voles.

Repertoire: Stock of plays, dances, or pieces that a company or performer knows/performs.

Tandem: Having two things arranged one in front of the other.