The Political Mind: or “How to Think Differently”

Keiran Laird

What does it mean to ‘think differently’? What are the conditions under which original thought can take place and what are the obstacles to it? The ability to create thoughts is what lies at the base of philosophy and political theory and practice. One cannot hope to change the world, or even adequately critique it, without the possibility of the new in mental life.

The Political Mind seeks to explore the possibility of thinking differently through connecting neuropsychological material on consciousness, nonconsciousness and affect to political theory. It spans many diverse disciplines: from hard-edged neuropsychology to sociology, economics, political theory and Eastern and Western philosophy. Its originality lies in its ability to draw meaningful connections between such disparate literatures, weaving a coherent whole. It then applies the concepts created to the currently popular topics of consumerism and the anti-capitalist and anti-globalisation movements.

Key Features:

* Unique in drawing connections between neuropsychology and political theory

* Addresses an enormous breadth of material

* Relevant to those interested in the anti-globalisation and anti-capitalism movements

Related Subjects

• Political Theory

About the Author

Julian Petley is Professor of Film and Television in the School of Arts at Brunel UniversityKeiran Laird is an independent researcher. He undertook his PhD research at Queen's University Belfast and taught there for two years before switching to a career in law.

top of page