EMOTIONAL: Do Your Feelings Make You Smarter?

In 'The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain,' Annie Murphy Paul argues that our minds are not confined to the brain but extend into our bodies, surroundings, and social relationships. The book explores embodied, situated, and distributed cognition, providing practical advice on how to think better by utilizing 'extra-neural' resources such as bodily sensations, physical spaces, and the minds of others. Paul draws on research from neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, and psychologists, as well as examples from artists, scientists, and leaders who have successfully used these mental extensions to solve problems and create new works[2][4][5].

In 'Feeling & Knowing: Making Minds Conscious', Antonio Damasio delves into the relationship between feelings and consciousness, arguing that consciousness is not solely a product of the brain but an embodied phenomenon influenced by nervous system activity. He discusses how feelings are essential for the development of consciousness and how they shape our experiences and decision-making processes.

In 'Emotional: How Feelings Shape Our Thinking', Leonard Mlodinow delves into the role of emotions in our lives, challenging the traditional view that rational thought and emotion are separate. He argues that emotions are crucial for decision-making and well-being, providing insights from psychology and neuroscience. The book offers practical tools for understanding and managing emotions to live a more fulfilling life.