New Books in Psychology cover image

New Books in Psychology

Yochai Ataria, "Not in Our Brain: Consciousness, Body, World" (Magnes Press, 2019)

Dec 4, 2024
Yochai Ataria, a professor at Tel-Hai College in Israel, specializes in trauma and consciousness, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He discusses how consciousness is deeply intertwined with our bodies and shared experiences. The dialogue explores the psychological impacts of conflict on children's identities and the isolation faced by prisoners. Yochai advocates for empathy and understanding to transcend historical traumas, emphasizing the need for open conversations to bridge divides amid ongoing violence.
53:12

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Quick takeaways

  • The podcast challenges traditional dualism by advocating for an embodied understanding of consciousness that intertwines the mind and body with lived experiences.
  • Through the lens of trauma in conflict zones, the discussion highlights the need for compassionate dialogue to address shared human suffering and rebuild connections.

Deep dives

The Deconstruction of Western Philosophy

Western philosophy has historically emphasized a dualism separating mind and body, rooted in the ideas of Plato and Descartes. The prevalent cognitive approach asserts that human perception is fundamentally mediated by brain representations, leading to the notion of a 'brain in a vat' that disconnects individuals from true reality. In contrast, a more embodied perspective argues for a holistic understanding of consciousness that integrates the physical body as inseparable from our experiences in the world. By challenging this traditional framework, the discussion emphasizes the importance of not just cognitive processes but also the embodied experiences that shape our interactions and understanding of reality.

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