Merlin Donald

Merlin Wilfred Donald (born November 17, 1939) is a Canadian psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist, and a researcher, educator, and author in the corresponding fields.

Related Topics:
November 17 - 1939 - Canadian - Psychologist - Cognitive - Neuroscientist

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He received his degrees in Canada, culminating in his Ph.D. in neuropsychology from McGill University in 1968. Following three years on the faculty of Yale School of Medicine, he joined the faculty of Queen's University at Kingston in 1972 and has continued to have his primary academic affiliations there, while also actively participating professionally elsewhere in Canada, and in other countries on three continents.

Related Topics:
Degrees - Neuropsychology - McGill University - 1968 - Yale - School of Medicine - Queen's University - Kingston - 1972

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He is widely known as the author of two books on human cognition, Origins of the Modern Mind and A Mind So Rare.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In his works, Donald uses the old Greek word mimesis, made fashionable in modern times by Erich Auerbach. He believes mimesis (along with language) is unique to humans and a crucial link in understanding how humans think, and how they came to be this way. In a sense, this brings him back to an understanding like that of Aristotle in his Poetics, however Donald himself seems to know the word primarily from Auerbach and other modern sources.

Related Topics:
Greek - Mimesis - Erich Auerbach - Language - Aristotle - Poetics

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~