Left, brain, right brain... but who's in charge?
In his seminal work The Master and His Emissary, Iain McGilchrist explores the profound influence of the brain’s hemispheric dichotomy on Western civilization. His argument was (and still is, as far as I know) that the right hemisphere, the “Master”, provides a holistic, integrative view of the world, while the left hemisphere, the “Emissary”, specializes in analysis, categorization and manipulation of discrete elements.
Societal flourishing occurs when the right hemisphere guides the left — a balance evident during periods of cultural renaissance. Conversely, he suggests that civilizations stagnate when the emissary usurps the master’s role, prioritizing control and reductionism over creativity and depth.
Donald Trump’s leadership style offers a contemporary case study of left-brain dominance. His transactional approach to politics and governance is emblematic of the emissary unbound: decisions are reduced to zero-sum games, relationships are leveraged for immediate gain, and complexity is often flattened into binary oppositions. Trump’s rhetoric frequently bypasses nuance in favour of slogans and soundbites, designed for quick consumption rather than reflective engagement. This mirrors the left hemisphere’s preference for clarity, certainty and control, often at the expense of deeper understanding.
A clear illustration of this transactional mindset is seen in Trump’s implementation of new trade tariffs with Canada, China and Mexico. They are being framed as strategic moves to “win” trade wars, emphasizing immediate economic gains and perceived advantages for the U.S. economy. Yet… in neglecting the broader, more complex realities of international trade relationships which range from long-term diplomatic ties to supply chain dependencies, such a short-term approach ignores the multifaceted nature of global economic ecosystems. The tariffs create their ripple effects of retaliatory measures, market instability and strained alliances; consequences that highlight the limitations of Trump’s left-brain, transactional approach to governance.
Taking a step back in history, the Renaissance exemplifies an era when things were very different — the master directed the emissary. Visionaries like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo embodied right-hemispheric thinking — curious, integrative and attuned to the interconnectedness of art, science, and the natural world. Their achievements were not transactional but transcendent, arising from an environment where the left hemisphere’s analytical skills served the expansive, exploratory impulses of the right. The result was an unprecedented flowering of human creativity, scientific discovery, and philosophical depth.
Coming back to modern times; the post-Second World War economic growth of the USA has been increasingly characterized by left-brain dominance, with Trump taking this a big step further. His approach, focused on immediate results and quantifiable success, reflects a broader societal trend where quantitative metrics, performance indicators and efficiency have become the benchmarks of progress. The qualitative aspects of human experience that the right hemisphere champions: empathy, meaning, and the aesthetic appreciation of ambiguity, are increasingly sidelined.
Does such a shift risk encouraging a culture that values utility over beauty, profit over purpose and information over wisdom? Or are we already there?
History teaches us that true creative expansion emerges when the emissary recognizes the authority of the master. The Renaissance was not merely a rejection of the medieval worldview but a rebalancing of hemispheric priorities, allowing analytical rigor to illuminate, rather than constrain the vast landscape of human potential. When the emissary dominates unchecked, societies become brittle, losing the capacity to adapt, innovate, and envision futures beyond immediate self-interest; at least that is McGilchrist’s hypothesis.
Could the rise of artificial intelligence bridge the gap between the hemispheres? I’ll give that a, “maybe, but not yet”. As things are, AI predominantly embodies the emissary’s characteristics. AI excels in analysing vast datasets, optimizing processes and executing rule-based operations with precision. Its strength lies in pattern recognition, logical reasoning and efficiency… functions that prioritize control and quantifiable outputs. At one level, this presents us with extraordinary opportunities and yet, potential danger lies ahead. If society begins to view AI not merely as a tool but as an autonomous decision-maker, this allows the emissary to assume the master’s role.
True intelligence, as suggested by McGilchrist, is not confined to computation but involves wisdom, context and meaning — qualities rooted in the right hemisphere. AI lacks the holistic awareness, empathy, and nuanced understanding that guide human creativity and ethical judgement. The challenge therefore, is to ensure AI remains in service to the broader, integrative vision of human consciousness. When directed by right-hemispheric values, AI can augment our capabilities without supplanting the rich, multidimensional aspects of human experience. AI can then function as an emissary, being powerful, precise and efficient, but always under the guidance of the master who brings human insight, wisdom, and ethical discernment.
Trump seems to be placing significant emphasis on AI, viewing it as a cornerstone for economic and strategic advantage. This aligns with his transactional ethos where efficiency, control and measurable outcomes are what counts. It would seem that his colleague, Elon Musk, thinks much the same way. Yet, this raises critical questions about the broader societal implications of allowing AI to operate relatively unchecked, especially if deployed without the balancing influence of right-hemispheric values such as ethical considerations and holistic thinking.
In reflecting on Trump’s leadership and the rise of AI through McGilchrist’s lens, we are reminded of the importance of restoring balance. Our challenge is not to dismiss the left hemisphere’s contributions but to ensure they are in service to the broader, more integrative vision of the right hemisphere. Only then can foster a society capable of both understanding and transcending itself — a society that is not merely transactional, but transformational.
End-note: Parallels with the Renaissance lie far in the past, so let’s reflect on a holistic yet decidedly entrepreneurial superstar of more recent times. It is unlikely that Steve Jobs read The Master and His Emissary (it was first published just two years before he passed away in 2011) yet his leadership style often reflected a balance between analytical precision and visionary, holistic thinking.
Steve Jobs was known for his interest in literature, philosophy and Eastern thought and for his holistic approach to art, design and technology. His deep appreciation for intuition and creativity led to a number of truly transformational breakthroughs… led by the Master and not the Emissary.
ref: The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World, is a 2009 book written by psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist that deals with the specialist hemispheric functioning of the brain.
to edit.
Societal flourishing occurs when the right hemisphere guides the left — a balance evident during periods of cultural renaissance. Conversely, he suggests that civilizations stagnate when the emissary usurps the master’s role, prioritizing control and reductionism over creativity and depth.
Donald Trump’s leadership style offers a contemporary case study of left-brain dominance. His transactional approach to politics and governance is emblematic of the emissary unbound: decisions are reduced to zero-sum games, relationships are leveraged for immediate gain, and complexity is often flattened into binary oppositions. Trump’s rhetoric frequently bypasses nuance in favour of slogans and soundbites, designed for quick consumption rather than reflective engagement. This mirrors the left hemisphere’s preference for clarity, certainty and control, often at the expense of deeper understanding.
A clear illustration of this transactional mindset is seen in Trump’s implementation of new trade tariffs with Canada, China and Mexico. They are being framed as strategic moves to “win” trade wars, emphasizing immediate economic gains and perceived advantages for the U.S. economy. Yet… in neglecting the broader, more complex realities of international trade relationships which range from long-term diplomatic ties to supply chain dependencies, such a short-term approach ignores the multifaceted nature of global economic ecosystems. The tariffs create their ripple effects of retaliatory measures, market instability and strained alliances; consequences that highlight the limitations of Trump’s left-brain, transactional approach to governance.
Taking a step back in history, the Renaissance exemplifies an era when things were very different — the master directed the emissary. Visionaries like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo embodied right-hemispheric thinking — curious, integrative and attuned to the interconnectedness of art, science, and the natural world. Their achievements were not transactional but transcendent, arising from an environment where the left hemisphere’s analytical skills served the expansive, exploratory impulses of the right. The result was an unprecedented flowering of human creativity, scientific discovery, and philosophical depth.
Coming back to modern times; the post-Second World War economic growth of the USA has been increasingly characterized by left-brain dominance, with Trump taking this a big step further. His approach, focused on immediate results and quantifiable success, reflects a broader societal trend where quantitative metrics, performance indicators and efficiency have become the benchmarks of progress. The qualitative aspects of human experience that the right hemisphere champions: empathy, meaning, and the aesthetic appreciation of ambiguity, are increasingly sidelined.
Does such a shift risk encouraging a culture that values utility over beauty, profit over purpose and information over wisdom? Or are we already there?
History teaches us that true creative expansion emerges when the emissary recognizes the authority of the master. The Renaissance was not merely a rejection of the medieval worldview but a rebalancing of hemispheric priorities, allowing analytical rigor to illuminate, rather than constrain the vast landscape of human potential. When the emissary dominates unchecked, societies become brittle, losing the capacity to adapt, innovate, and envision futures beyond immediate self-interest; at least that is McGilchrist’s hypothesis.
Could the rise of artificial intelligence bridge the gap between the hemispheres? I’ll give that a, “maybe, but not yet”. As things are, AI predominantly embodies the emissary’s characteristics. AI excels in analysing vast datasets, optimizing processes and executing rule-based operations with precision. Its strength lies in pattern recognition, logical reasoning and efficiency… functions that prioritize control and quantifiable outputs. At one level, this presents us with extraordinary opportunities and yet, potential danger lies ahead. If society begins to view AI not merely as a tool but as an autonomous decision-maker, this allows the emissary to assume the master’s role.
True intelligence, as suggested by McGilchrist, is not confined to computation but involves wisdom, context and meaning — qualities rooted in the right hemisphere. AI lacks the holistic awareness, empathy, and nuanced understanding that guide human creativity and ethical judgement. The challenge therefore, is to ensure AI remains in service to the broader, integrative vision of human consciousness. When directed by right-hemispheric values, AI can augment our capabilities without supplanting the rich, multidimensional aspects of human experience. AI can then function as an emissary, being powerful, precise and efficient, but always under the guidance of the master who brings human insight, wisdom, and ethical discernment.
Trump seems to be placing significant emphasis on AI, viewing it as a cornerstone for economic and strategic advantage. This aligns with his transactional ethos where efficiency, control and measurable outcomes are what counts. It would seem that his colleague, Elon Musk, thinks much the same way. Yet, this raises critical questions about the broader societal implications of allowing AI to operate relatively unchecked, especially if deployed without the balancing influence of right-hemispheric values such as ethical considerations and holistic thinking.
In reflecting on Trump’s leadership and the rise of AI through McGilchrist’s lens, we are reminded of the importance of restoring balance. Our challenge is not to dismiss the left hemisphere’s contributions but to ensure they are in service to the broader, more integrative vision of the right hemisphere. Only then can foster a society capable of both understanding and transcending itself — a society that is not merely transactional, but transformational.
End-note: Parallels with the Renaissance lie far in the past, so let’s reflect on a holistic yet decidedly entrepreneurial superstar of more recent times. It is unlikely that Steve Jobs read The Master and His Emissary (it was first published just two years before he passed away in 2011) yet his leadership style often reflected a balance between analytical precision and visionary, holistic thinking.
Steve Jobs was known for his interest in literature, philosophy and Eastern thought and for his holistic approach to art, design and technology. His deep appreciation for intuition and creativity led to a number of truly transformational breakthroughs… led by the Master and not the Emissary.
ref: The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World, is a 2009 book written by psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist that deals with the specialist hemispheric functioning of the brain.
to edit.
RSS Feed