Arts Shape Humanity: Neuroscientist David Bueno Wins Award for Exploring Art's Impact on the Brain

Barcelona-based biologist and popularizer David Bueno won the prestigious Josep Pla 2025 prize for his scientific essay, "The Art of Being Human." Bueno argues that the arts, including music, painting, theater, and dance, are fundamental to what makes us human, enabling creativity, abstraction, and adaptability. He emphasizes that the arts activate the same brain areas as science and philosophy, fostering communication, socialization, and critical thinking. Bueno advocates for integrating arts more deeply into education, as they enhance cognitive abilities like reading comprehension and problem-solving. He notes that engaging with art, such as abstract painting, encourages the brain to seek understanding, similar to reading challenging texts. He also highlights the importance of philosophy in education, as it teaches us to think. He explains that physical changes in hominids' necks around 80,000 years ago allowed for complex vocalization and the development of distinct musical and linguistic abilities. He suggests that music, with its emotional impact, can even aid in brain recovery after a stroke, with studies indicating that heavy metal may be particularly effective due to its repetitive rhythms.