Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 105 | Ann-Sophie Barwich on the Science and Philosophy of Smell
Jul 13, 2020
Ann-Sophie Barwich, a philosopher and neuroscientist specializing in olfaction, explains why smell deserves more attention in our understanding of consciousness. She challenges the primacy of vision by highlighting the complexities of the olfactory experience and its interplay with taste. Barwich delves into how molecular structures influence scent perception, and how our context can drastically alter our interpretation of odors. She also explores the fascinating cognitive processes behind wine tasting and discusses how olfactory cues play a significant role in decision-making, particularly in romantic contexts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
The Importance of Smell
- We privilege vision in our understanding of mind and brain, often using visual metaphors even for non-visual concepts.
- Smells defy easy categorization using visual terms like boundaries or discreteness, challenging our understanding of perception.
Accuracy of Smell
- Smell might be more accurate than vision, as visual illusions easily trick the brain.
- Smell provides an accurate measure of context, linking perception to physiology and environment.
Taste vs. Smell
- What we commonly call "taste" is largely smell perceived through the back of the nose while chewing.
- Flavors like mint or strawberry are perceived through the nose, not taste buds.
