Jonathan Gottschall Quotes
Jonathan Gottschall is an American author and professor of English at Washington & Jefferson College. He is best known for his book The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human, which explores the evolutionary power of storytelling. He has also written The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fi…Read More
Jonathan Gottschall is an American author and professor of English at Washington & Jefferson College. He is best known for his book The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human, which explores the evolutionary power of storytelling. He has also written The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch, which examines the science and psychology of violence. Gottschall is a frequent contributor to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic, and has appeared on NPR, BBC, and other media outlets. He is a leading voice in the field of evolutionary literary studies, and his work has been featured in The New Yorker, The Guardian, and The Washington Post.Read Less
Jonathan Gottschall is an American author and professor of English at Washington & Jefferson College. He is best known for his book The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human, which explores the evolutionary power of storytelling. He has also written The Professor in the Cage: Why Men Fight and Why We Like to Watch, which examines the science and psychology of violence. Gottschall is a frequent contributor to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Atlantic, and has appeared on NPR, BBC, and other media outlets. He is a leading voice in the field of evolutionary literary studies, and his work has been featured in The New Yorker, The Guardian, and The Washington Post.
Jonathan Gottschall Career Highlights
- Gottschall received his Bachelor’s degree in English from St. Lawrence University and his Master’s and Ph.D. in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
- He is currently a Distinguished Fellow in the English Department at Washington & Jefferson College, where he has been teaching since 2001.
- In 2008, Gottschall published his first book, “Literature, Science, and a New Humanities,” which received critical acclaim and established him as a leading figure in the field of literary Darwinism.
- In 2012, he published his second book, “The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human,” which became a New York Times Editor’s Choice and was translated into 20 languages.
- Gottschall’s work has been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, Scientific American, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.
- He has also given talks and lectures at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, Oxford University, and the Royal Institution of Great Britain.
Key Contributions by Jonathan Gottschall
- Gottschall’s research has shed light on the evolutionary origins of human storytelling and its impact on human behavior and culture. He has shown that storytelling is a universal human trait that has evolved over millions of years to serve important functions such as social bonding, transmitting knowledge, and shaping our beliefs and behaviors.
- His work has also challenged traditional views of literature as purely aesthetic and has demonstrated its role in shaping our understanding of the world and ourselves.
- Gottschall’s books have been widely praised for their engaging and accessible writing style, making complex scientific concepts accessible to a general audience.
- He has also been a vocal advocate for the integration of science and the humanities, arguing that a better understanding of human nature can be achieved by bridging the gap between these two disciplines.
What Sets Jonathan Gottschall Apart
- Gottschall’s interdisciplinary approach to literature sets him apart from other literary scholars. By combining his expertise in literature and evolutionary biology, he has been able to offer unique insights into the human experience.
- His work has also been praised for its rigorous scientific methodology, which has helped to legitimize the field of literary Darwinism and gain acceptance in the academic community.
- Gottschall’s ability to communicate complex ideas in an engaging and accessible manner has made him a sought-after speaker and writer, reaching a wide audience beyond the academic world.
Takeaways
- Jonathan Gottschall’s work has revolutionized the study of literature by bringing together the fields of literature and evolutionary biology.
- His research has shown that storytelling is a fundamental aspect of human nature and has important implications for our understanding of human behavior and culture.
- Gottschall’s books and lectures have made his groundbreaking ideas accessible to a wider audience, sparking important discussions and debates about the role of literature in our lives.
- His interdisciplinary approach and rigorous methodology have set a new standard for the study of literature and have opened up new avenues for research in this field.
Other People
Writer/Author
Author
1882 - 1956
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· Canada
1843 - 1919
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1933
