Antonio Damasio, an award-winning neuroscientist, challenges the traditional view that consciousness is solely a mental phenomenon. He argues that feelings, previously seen as secondary, are foundational to consciousness and deeply linked to our bodily experiences. Damasio delves into the biological origins of consciousness, emphasizing that homeostatic feelings serve as crucial survival signals. His insights aim to bridge the philosophical divide between mind and body, re-envisioning our understanding of what it means to be conscious.
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insights INSIGHT
Feelings Are Core To Consciousness
Feelings constantly run alongside perceptions and reflections in our minds.
These feelings, rooted in bodily processes, are fundamental to consciousness.
insights INSIGHT
Homeostasis Drives Life And Feelings
Homeostasis governs organism life and energy distribution continuously.
Feelings linked to homeostasis guide actions essential for survival and health.
insights INSIGHT
Feelings Are Private, Emotions Public
Feelings are private internal experiences, distinct from emotions.
Emotions are public expressions; feelings remain known only to the individual.
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In this book, Damasio argues that emotions are essential to rational thinking and normal social behavior. He challenges René Descartes' mind-body dualism by presenting case studies, particularly the famous case of Phineas Gage, to demonstrate how brain damage can affect decision-making and personality. Damasio introduces the 'somatic marker hypothesis,' which posits that emotions guide behavior and decision-making, and that rationality requires emotional input. The book is divided into three parts, exploring case studies, explanations for the effects of brain injuries, and testing the somatic marker hypothesis[2][4][5].
We tend to believe consciousness is purely mental. And since Descartes' "I think therefore I am", we've privileged the mind as the centrepiece of thought and consciousness. But such a view is mistaken argues award-winning neuroscientist Antonio Damasio.
Feelings, long dismissed as secondary to thinking, are where consciousness begins, and are deeply rooted in the body and its physical processes. Join Damasio as he presents a new theory of consciousness and undoes the philosophical separation between mind and body posed by Descartes.
Antonio Damasio is an award-winning neuroscientist known for his pioneering work on emotions, intuitions and the biological origins of consciousness.
He is the author of several books including Descartes' Error and The Strange Order of Things. His most recent book Feeling & Knowing: Making Minds Conscious explores the origin and evolution of consciousness.
And don't hesitate to email us at podcast@iai.tv with your thoughts or questions on the episode!
Philosophy For Our Times 