Seeing the mind: considerations on visual metaphors of the mind in Western thought (16th–18th centuries)

Abstract

Throughout the centuries, in Western culture, scientists, philosophers, and artists have been fascinated by the working of the mind. They have attempted to translate this into visual models that are able to provide tangible references to otherwise abstract concepts. These metaphors are deeply rooted in culture and their significance encompasses ideas which shape and characterize different epochs. With a consideration of visual models of the mind developed in Western thought during the 16th and 18th centuries, this article aims to provide an overview of some of the most significant metaphors developed to illustrate the working of the mind and highlight their broader cultural significance. Generally, models used to describe the brain, and consequently to conceptualize the mind, match the most recent technical achievements or important cultural developments. They illustrate the processes through which material reality and the self are perceived and represented. This article shows how these models betray broader cultural concerns and testify to the zeitgeist of an epoch.