#embodied cognition

[ladyfingerpress]

z. X "The Brain, Pt. 1" Quick steps through key concepts in neuroscience of great utility when reading our works on neurodivergence, consciousness, the critical brain, differential processing, etc

[the-most-humble-blog]

hey so I absolutely love it when people mix real biology/science with writing, just wanted to let you know

besides that, have a nice day!

Real biology is writing. Your bones are just libraries written in calcium. Your eyes? Thousands of years of evolutionary editorial notes.

So thank you. You’re not just reading me. You’re remembering yourself.

I’ll keep mixing the blood and the truth. You just keep showing up.

Have a very genetically significant day.

[raffaellopalandri]

Being-in-the-World as Ontological Understanding: A Confluence of Heidegger, Buddhism, Stoicism, Neuroscience, and Psychology

Martin Heidegger’s profound exploration of Dasein in Sein und Zeit (Being and Time) revolutionised the understanding of existence by presenting Being-in-the-world (In-der-Welt-sein) not as a static state but as an active, interpretative engagement with reality. At the core of this concept is understanding (Verstehen), which Heidegger asserts is not merely cognitive but ontological—an integral…

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of the Brain

The philosophy of the brain examines the relationship between the brain and mind, consciousness, identity, and cognition. It deals with questions about how physical processes in the brain give rise to mental experiences, how the brain interacts with the body, and what it means to have a self or consciousness in a biological organ. This area intersects with neuroscience, psychology, metaphysics, and the philosophy of mind.

Key Themes in the Philosophy of the Brain:

Mind-Brain Dualism vs. Physicalism:

Dualism posits that the mind and brain are distinct, with the mind having non-physical properties. The Cartesian dualism of Descartes is a classic example, where the mind is separate from the brain and body.

Physicalism, on the other hand, holds that the mind and consciousness are entirely produced by the brain’s physical processes, meaning that mental states can be explained in terms of brain states.

Consciousness and the Brain:

One of the central questions is how consciousness arises from brain activity. Known as the hard problem of consciousness, it addresses why and how subjective experiences (qualia) emerge from neural processes.

Some philosophers argue for emergentism, where consciousness is seen as an emergent property of complex brain interactions, while others advocate for panpsychism, the idea that consciousness is a fundamental feature of the universe.

The Brain and Identity:

The brain is often seen as the seat of personal identity, with changes in the brain (through injury or neurological disorders) potentially leading to changes in personality, memory, or consciousness.

Philosophers debate whether identity is tied to continuity of the brain or mind. Locke’s theory suggests that identity is based on memory and consciousness, while modern thinkers explore how brain changes affect notions of self.

The Brain and Free Will:

The question of free will versus determinism is closely linked to brain function. Neuroscientific studies suggest that brain activity may precede conscious decisions, raising questions about whether humans truly have free will or if our decisions are determined by prior brain states.

Philosophical responses to this include compatibilism, the belief that free will can coexist with determinism, and libertarianism, which defends genuine free will.

Neural Correlates of Mental States:

Philosophers and neuroscientists explore neural correlates of consciousness (NCC), seeking to map specific brain activities to particular mental experiences.

Questions remain about whether identifying these correlates fully explains consciousness, or if something more is needed to account for subjective experience.

Embodied Cognition:

The brain does not work in isolation; it interacts with the body and environment. The theory of embodied cognition suggests that cognitive processes are shaped not just by the brain, but also by bodily states and physical experiences in the world.

This challenges traditional brain-centric views of cognition and suggests a more integrated approach, where mind, body, and environment are interconnected.

Artificial Intelligence and Brain Simulation:

The philosophy of artificial intelligence engages with questions of whether a brain can be fully simulated or replicated in a machine. If the brain’s functions are computational, can an AI system have consciousness, emotions, or identity?

The implications of brain simulation lead to ethical and philosophical questions about the nature of intelligence, mind, and consciousness in non-biological entities.

Brain, Emotion, and Morality:

The brain’s role in emotion and moral judgment is another area of inquiry. How do neural networks govern feelings of empathy, guilt, or fairness? Is morality hardwired in the brain, or is it shaped by culture and experience?

This raises questions about the biological basis of ethical behavior and whether moral reasoning is universal or brain-dependent.

Neurophilosophy:

Neurophilosophy, developed by thinkers like Patricia Churchland, explores the intersections of neuroscience and philosophy. It examines how advances in brain science can inform traditional philosophical debates about mind, identity, knowledge, and ethics.

Neurophilosophy challenges the idea that philosophical questions about the mind can be separated from empirical studies of the brain.

Philosophical Zombies and the Limits of Brain Understanding:

Philosophical thought experiments like zombies (beings physically identical to humans but lacking consciousness) are used to explore whether brain function alone can account for the full spectrum of human experience.

Such scenarios highlight the debate over whether consciousness is merely a brain process or if it transcends material explanations.

The philosophy of the brain is concerned with deep questions about how physical processes in the brain relate to consciousness, identity, and free will. It draws on neuroscience to address longstanding philosophical problems, while also posing new questions about the limits of our understanding of the mind. The brain is not just an organ; it is at the center of discussions about what it means to be conscious, moral, and self-aware.

[zentarablog]

AI vs. Human Intelligence: 10 Key Differences Explored

The advent of artificial intelligence has sparked a fundamental debate about what it means to be intelligent. Is intelligence merely the ability to process information and solve problems, or does it encompass something more profound—creativity, emotion, and consciousness? As AI systems become more sophisticated, mimicking human capabilities in areas once thought to be exclusively ours, the line…

[grouchydairy]

Author’s note: The topic of embodied cognition has always been so fascinating to me, because we as humans like to believe we have such control over our thoughts, and how we impact out environment. Yet sometimes we don’t think about how our environment impacts us, how we think, feel and act.

#EmbodiedCognition

[bsahely]

The Grammar of Emergence: Absence, Affordance, and the Adjacent Possible in Teleodynamic Life | ChatGPT4o

[Download Full Document (PDF)] Executive Summary Purpose This book develops and formalizes a triadic generative grammar — absence, affordance, adjacent possible — as the deep structure of transformation across life systems. It integrates insights from biological development, cognitive science, semiotics, and systems theory into a coherent model for understanding and designing emergent…

[ookwrd]

Life After Programming: Embracing Human-Machine Symbiosis in the Age of AI

As AI continues to evolve, conversations have started questioning the future of traditional programming and computer science education. The rise of prompt engineering—the art of crafting inputs to lead AI models to generating specific outputs—has led many to believe that mastering this new skill could replace the need for deep computational expertise. While this perspective does capture a real…

[eyesdrawmagic]

Embodied Cognition

Embodied cognition, also known as embodied knowledge, is the idea that certain types of knowledge are inherent in our bodies, allowing us to perform actions without consciously thinking about each step—like throwing a baseball or riding a bike. Our body and mind function as an integrated whole, enabling us to act seamlessly.

When learning a new skill, such as playing the guitar, initial efforts require conscious thought about finger placement and chord structures. However, with enough practice, these actions become automatic and are stored as embodied knowledge. This concept extends beyond practiced skills to include our habits, interactions with the world, and sense of self. Our environment, body, and mind are interconnected, and our sensory experiences profoundly influence our cognitive processes.

Meaning is derived from our interactions with the world. Metaphors grounded in physical experiences—like describing close people as "warm" or significant events as "heavy"—illustrate how our sensory experiences shape our understanding.

How does this understanding of embodied cognition apply to creativity?

Movement can break mental blocks and spark new ideas. Walking, dancing, or simply changing your posture can shift your perspective and inspire new ideas.

Use your hands to manipulate your thoughts. Sculpt, draw, paint, or build—working with physical objects can reveal new insights and stimulate creativity.

Changing tools can produce unexpected results. Try experimenting with a new pen, brush, or medium. Explore different methods of creation to see how they influence your ideas.

Use metaphors grounded in experience. Connect abstract ideas to tangible concepts by drawing on physical sensations or actions. This approach makes complex thoughts more relatable and meaningful.

Let your surroundings inform your creative process. Pay attention to how different environments make you feel and how they inspire you. Experiment with adapting your work to reflect those sensations.

Embrace what you “know in your bones.” Let intuitive, embodied knowledge guide your decisions instead of overthinking every detail.

Creativity isn’t about control. Allow yourself to be messy, to follow where your body leads, and to experiment freely. Feel the rhythm of typing, the stroke of a brush, or the flow of your movement.

Explore how varying your environment or movement can open new pathways of thought. Try taking a walk, shifting your workspace, or experimenting with new tools.

[stevengreenstein]

I invited first-year math majors to collaborate with me on an adaptation of the game Twister that's played inside of an icosahedron. It's called "Embodied Icosahedral Twister."

[chicago-geniza]

I have been worrying at this kaleidoscopic and inscrutable experience-clot at the epicenter of some "complexes," to pilfer the clinic-parlance, and it wasn't really slotting into any of the heuristics I could find when I tried to translate it or describe it with "non-private language," i.e., assemble it in legible terms. Anyway after years and years of this the one thing that finally granted me some fucking insight. HUMILIATINGLY. Was a quote from Exit to Eden. Yeah that's right one of Anne Rice's pornographic novels

[raffaellopalandri]

A Comparative Analysis Between Buddhist Nivṛtti (निवृत्ति) and Stoic Apatheia (ἀπάθεια) – Part 2

In the first part of this essay, we explored a revitalized interpretation of intellectual asceticism—not as a renunciation of thought itself, but as its disciplined, intentional, and ethically grounded refinement. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Drawing from the foundational frameworks of Buddhist philosophy (notably the principle of nivṛtti — निवृत्ति, or “turning away”) and Stoic ethics…

[omegaphilosophia]

The Ontology of Concepts

The ontology of concepts explores the nature, existence, and structure of concepts as abstract entities that underpin human thought, language, and knowledge. It investigates questions about what concepts are, how they exist, and their role in cognition and communication. This field overlaps with metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, and linguistics.

Key Questions:

What are concepts?

Are they mental representations, abstract universals, or tools for categorization?

Do they exist independently of human minds, or are they purely constructed?

How do concepts exist?

Are concepts reducible to physical states in the brain (materialism)?

Are they immaterial and universal entities (Platonism)?

Are they social constructs shaped by cultural and linguistic frameworks?

What is the structure of concepts?

Are concepts static entities or dynamic processes that evolve over time?

How are they related to categories, prototypes, and exemplars?

Theoretical Perspectives:

Platonism:

Concepts exist as timeless, universal forms or abstract objects, independent of human minds.

Conceptualism:

Concepts exist within the mind as mental representations but are derived from shared experiences.

Nominalism:

Concepts do not exist independently; they are merely names or labels we use to group similar objects.

Prototype Theory:

Concepts are structured around prototypes or typical examples, as proposed in cognitive science.

Dynamic and Embodied Perspectives:

Concepts are fluid and shaped by sensory-motor experiences, context, and interaction with the environment.

The Relationship Between Concepts and Language:

Concepts are often tied to linguistic expression, but their existence may not depend entirely on language.

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis suggests that language shapes conceptual understanding.

Frege's distinction between sense and reference highlights how concepts mediate between words and the world.

Ontological Issues in Concepts:

Universality vs. Particularity:

Are concepts universal across cultures, or do they vary based on individual or societal contexts?

Independence vs. Dependence:

Do concepts exist independently of human thought, or are they contingent on cognitive processes?

Abstract vs. Concrete:

How do abstract concepts (e.g., justice) relate to concrete ones (e.g., apple)?

Practical Applications:

Artificial Intelligence: Understanding the ontology of concepts aids in developing AI systems capable of abstract reasoning.

Epistemology: Concepts are central to knowledge acquisition and classification.

Cultural Studies: Analyzing how concepts differ across societies illuminates cultural and linguistic diversity.

The ontology of concepts remains a rich and evolving field that bridges multiple disciplines, addressing profound questions about the foundation of human understanding.

[nonetheless]

To understand life, we must stop treating organisms like machines and minds like code: "Why Science Hasn’t Solved Consciousness (Yet)" @adamfrank4.bsky.social‬ @noemamag.com‬ @marco-giancotti.bsky.social‬

(Plus- Herbert Marcuse)

Embracing embodiment: https://roughlydaily.com/2025/07/19/i-regard-consciousness-as-fundamental-i-regard-matter-as-derivative-from-consciousness-we-cannot-get-behind-consciousness-everything-that-we-talk-about-everything-that-we-regard-as-existing-pos/

[cgcosmo]

All of them are very, very hard.

To think is easy. To act is hard. But the hardest thing in the world is to act in accordance with your thinking.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, Source Unlisted.

[bsahely]

From Turing to Teleodynamics: Reframing Computation, Intelligence, and Life through Coherence Models | ChatGPT4o

[Download Full Document (PDF)] Purpose and Premise This paper offers a paradigm-shifting reinterpretation of Turing’s legacy through a multi-layered coherence model that spans from symbolic logic to participatory intelligence. It proposes that Turing’s discoveries — when understood within a recursive, constraint-based framework — offer the scaffolding for a new science of life, cognition, and…