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A History of the Brain Omnibus

A History of the Brain Omnibus: Episode 2

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Episode 2

BBC Radio 4 - A History of the Brain Omnibus, Episode 2

The second half of Dr Geoff Bunn's cultural history of the brain, Episodes 6-10.

Continuing his journey through the 19th century to the present day, Dr Geoff Bunn reviews phrenology and localisation and brings us up to date with cultural neuroscience.

Dr Geoff Bunn's 10 part History of the Brain is a journey through 5000 years of our understanding of this complex organ in our heads. From Neolithic times to the present day, he reveals the contemporary beliefs about what the brain is for and how it fulfils its functions.

While referencing the core physiology and neuroscience, this is a cultural, not a scientific history. What soon becomes obvious is that our understanding of this most inscrutable organ has in all periods been coloured by the social and political expedients of the day no less than by the contemporary scope of scientific or biological exploration.

The series is entirely written and presented by Dr Geoff Bunn of Manchester Metropolitan University, with actors Paul Bhattacharjee and Jonathan Forbes providing the voices of those who have written about the brain from Ancient Egypt to the present day, and actor Hattie Morahan giving the Anatomy Lesson which establishes the part of the brain to be highlighted in each episode - in this instance the four lobes. The original, atmospheric score is supplied by composer, Barney Quinton.

Producer: Marya Burgess.

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Dr Geoff Bunn journeys through 5,000 years of human understanding of the brain

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