Back to: Part 5: The Duality of the Brain: Split Hemispheres, Function, and Consciousness

Baba Metu delves into the fascinating study of the split brain, a condition resulting from the severing of the corpus callosum, the primary connection between the brain’s two hemispheres. Pioneering work by Roger Sperry in the mid-20th century, later exemplified by cases like “Joe,” revealed that when communication between the hemispheres is disrupted, each side can function independently, with the left hemisphere generally handling language and speech, and the right hemisphere excelling in visual-spatial processing. Baba Metu provides critical insights into the specialized roles of each brain hemisphere and how their interaction normally contributes to a unified conscious experience.