"Aldama and Hogan's refreshing Conversations on Cognitive Cultural Studies begins with an exemplary brief introduction to cognitive theory for a literary and cultural studies readership. It then opens up into an accessible, thoughtful dialogue, revealing areas of contention, mystery, and potential discovery. This meeting of minds ranges as widely in its discussion as it delves deeply into its core topics of language, the self, narrative, aesthetics, ethics, and culture. The discussions it will stimulate, at symposia and in seminars, will benefit from the authors' capacious frames of reference and imaginative questing for truths and explanations beyond the boundaries of traditional literary studies."--Suzanne Keen, Thomas H. Broadus Professor of English and Dean of the College, Washington and Lee University. "This book of conversations discovers a superb format for the treatment of theoretical problems, for it allows its two authors, each bringing his own distinct perspective and background to the discussion, to engage with each other and zero in on an uncommonly wide range of aesthetic concerns--among many others, the role of linguistics in understanding literature and the insights that neuroscience offers to the arts." --Herbert Lindenberger, Avalon Foundation Professor of Humanities, Emeritus, Stanford University
"In Conversations on Cognitive Cultural Studies: Literature, Language, and Aesthetics, Frederick Luis Aldama and Patrick Colm Hogan illuminate the myriad implications of cognitive studies for the study of literature. Scrutinizing issues ranging from subjectivity to aesthetics to history and politics, they seek ever greater precision in our methods and assumptions. This lively critical dialogue is sure to spark much-needed thought and discussion."--Sue J. Kim, author of On Anger: Race, Cognition, Narrative
"Conversations on Cognitive Cultural Studies gives a strong sense of cognitive studies in their present state of organization, as represented by two of its most respected and best informed spokesmen, who are seen grappling with basic and, in some cases, still unresolved problems in aesthetics." --Irving Massey, professor emeritus of English and comparative literature, University at Buffalo