What the science of reading can contribute to the history of writing, and vice versa

Add to your list(s) Download to your calendar using vCal

• Professor Aaron Koller, Yeshiva University, New York
• Friday 28 April 2023, 16:30-18:00
• Ground Floor Lecture Theatre, Department of Psychology.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact John Mollon.

Historians who work on the history of writing are often unaware of the ways in which the science of how we read constrains and shapes that history. This paper will argue that some of the unsolved mysteries facing historians have ready solutions once the neuroscience is factored in. In particular, we will discuss the question of why the alphabet did not sweep through the world for about a millennium after its invention, and what sort of educational background the inventors of the alphabet must have had.

In return, I will humbly suggest that scientists studying reading may also benefit from a deeper engagement with the history of writing. This part of the paper will touch on three questions: the interrelationship of “meaning” and “sound” in writing systems; the question of whether each language has its ideal writing system; and whether there is a “most natural” writing system for humans developing writing for the first time. These issues, discussed in the scientific literature, can be enriched by reference to the historical record.

This talk is part of the Zangwill Club series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All Talks (aka the CURE list)
• Biology
• Cambridge Forum of Science and Humanities
• Cambridge Language Sciences
• Cambridge Neuroscience Seminars
• Cambridge talks
• Chris Davis' list
• Department of Psychiatry talks stream
• Featured lists
• Ground Floor Lecture Theatre, Department of Psychology
• Guy Emerson's list
• Interested Talks
• Life Science
• Life Sciences
• Neuroscience
• Neuroscience Seminars
• Neuroscience Seminars
• Psychology talks and events
• Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine
• Yishu's list
• Zangwill Club
• dh539
• my List

Note that ex-directory lists are not shown.