Love & Philosophy

Send a love message Elena Clare Cuffari is a Professor at Franklin and Marshall College. Shay Welch is a professor at Spelman College in Atlanta. In this episode, they discuss embodied cognition and participatory sensemaking in relation to marginalized body epistemologies. They share insights from a recent conference that brought together diverse perspectives on how embodied cognition intersects with issues of race, gender, and activism. Welch emphasizes that she never separates her scholarship from her personal life, seeing philosophy as inherently connected to her lived experience. Cuffari highlights the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of her work with colleagues, which seeks to challenge traditional philosophical boundaries. They address the challenges of integrating marginalized voices into academic fields and the importance of recognizing the body's knowledge. The conversation also touches on the discomfort that arises in both academic and social contexts when established norms are challenged, and how this requires responsibility beyond blame.  00:00 Building a Community for Philosophical Dialogue 02:02 Introduction to Embodied Cognition and Participatory Sensemaking 02:22 Exploring Personal Philosophical Interests 04:11 Defining Embodied Cognition and Participatory Sensemaking 08:08 The Roots and Relevance of Embodied Cognition 15:14 Challenges in Academia and Marginalized Philosophies 28:51 The Concept of Normalcy in Philosophy and Society 37:17 Addressing Misunderstandings in Philosophy 39:34 Inclusivity and Change in Philosophy 43:18 Discomfort and Openness in Philosophical Inquiry 49:44 Marginalized Body Epistemologies 01:01:43 The Intersection of Philosophy and Personal Experience 01:05:57 Reflections on the Conference and Future DirectionsClick to Substack page here for references and more.Shay Welch: https://spelman.academia.edu/shaywelchRead Rebecca Todd's post about Shay Elena Cuffari: https://www.elenaclarecuffari.com/Women in embodied Cognition: https://women-4e.com/Oxford Handbook of 4E CognitionWhat is Feminist Phenomenology?The Phenomenology of a Performative Knowledge System: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-04936-2#bibliographic-informationLinguistic Bodies: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262547864/linguistic-bodies/Shay interviewElena motivationThe quote Shay reads is chapter 8 of this book:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/oppression-and-the-body-christine-caldwell/1126641713Support the showPlease rate and review with love. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Substack.

Send a love messageIn this episode, which was recorded in the autumn of 2024, Andrea Hiott talks with environmental philosopher and public intellectual Rupert Read. They delve into Read's realization that 'this civilization is finished,' his engagement with Wittgenstein's philosophy (especially the book he edited with Alice Crary), his subsequent involvement with Extinction Rebellion, how he has come to understand crisis as inflections of love, and the 'moving forward' work of the Climate Majority Project. The conversation explores themes of crisis, consciousness, intergenerational solidarity, and the liberating power of love and truth in the face of existential challenges. Read shares insights from his academic and activist career, emphasizing the importance of inner work, eco-spirituality, and the collective struggle for a better future.00:00 A Shocking Revelation00:20 Philosophy and Freedom01:02 Wittgenstein's Wonderful Life01:20 Embracing Difficult Emotions02:29 Introduction to the Interview02:33 Rupert Reed's Background04:21 Philosophy as Therapy05:06 Love as Action07:51 Rupert Reed's Crisis09:50 Philosophy and Personal Crisis11:33 Wittgenstein's Liberatory Philosophy23:28 Spiritual Practices and Eco-Spirituality37:05 Climate Courage Campaign39:16 The Importance of Truth44:07 The Path to Truthfulness44:55 The Revelation: Civilization is Finished46:49 Engaging with Students and Public Reaction47:54 Joining Extinction Rebellion48:50 The Challenge of Facing Hard Realities51:18 The Importance of Paradox and Love55:21 The Role of Anxiety and Dreams57:48 Extinction Rebellion's Evolution01:01:49 The Climate Majority Project01:10:51 Intergenerational Solidarity and Responsibility01:17:24 Embracing Difficult Emotions01:22:50 Final Thoughts and Invitation to ActionLinks to what we discuss:New Wittgenstein book with Alice CraryCora DiamondCivil DisobedienceLove in the time of CoronaNew Statesmen ArticleJoanna MacyFoucault Rupert on Politics Livehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5oAr9q277g https://dark-mountain.net/the-deluge/https://www.parentsforafuture.org/ Thrutopia https://youtu.be/b1trbea-BkU?si=YlhO13yioc6jTekOSupport the showPlease rate and review with love. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Substack.

Dari Trendafilov, a PhD in Computing Science from the University of Glasgow, specializes in AI, robotics, and human-computer interaction. He delves into the fascinating concept of empowerment, discussing its role in robotics and its parallels with human psychology. Dari explores Claude Shannon's information theory and shares insights on swarm robotics and collective intelligence. The conversation highlights how intrinsic motivations shape decision-making processes in both robots and humans, revealing a thought-provoking interplay between technology and natural systems.

Join Thomas Fuchs, the acclaimed philosopher and psychiatrist from Heidelberg University, as he navigates profound questions about humanity's essence amidst technological upheaval. He discusses the concept of 'conviviality,' emphasizing the interconnectedness of human experiences. Fuchs contrasts our distinctiveness from machines and explores the critical impact of embodiment on self-perception. Delve into the oscillation between self-contempt and self-aggrandizement, highlighting the necessity of restoring balance in our lives and relationships in a digitized world.

Mark Solms, a neuropsychologist at the University of Cape Town, dives deep into the connection between love and consciousness. He breaks down love into its emotional components, highlighting distinctions between romantic love and attachment. The conversation explores how feelings shape our conscious experience, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and vulnerability. Solms also discusses Freud's theories on narcissism, revealing complex layers of emotional drives, and argues for a science that integrates subjective experience into its understanding of human nature.

Karen Ng, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University, dives into Hegel's fascinating theories about life and self-consciousness. She sheds light on how love interplays with Hegelian thought, illustrating the contradictions of existence. Karen critiques traditional views by emphasizing the organic essence of life over mechanistic frameworks. Her insights reveal how understanding these concepts can help navigate modern philosophical challenges, while also influencing our relationship with nature and the meaning of existence.

Philosopher Evan Thompson, renowned for his insights on embodied cognition, discusses his co-authored work 'The Blind Spot'. He explores how idealized scientific models distort our understanding of reality and the interconnectedness of all living things. The conversation highlights the urgent need for integrating arts and humanities within STEM to navigate ecological crises. Topics include the mind-body connection, the limitations of technology in grasping human experience, and the role of love and personal narratives in the pursuit of knowledge.

In this engaging conversation, renowned neuroscientist Karl Friston, famed for his work on active inference and the free energy principle, dives into the intricacies of flow in decision-making. He discusses how his theories bridge mathematics, neuroscience, and everyday life, providing a profound understanding of human behavior and consciousness. The dialogue also touches on the disconnection hypothesis in schizophrenia and revolutionary advancements in brain imaging technologies, emphasizing the interconnectedness of cognition and the complexities of navigating our choices in a constantly evolving world.

Harry Heft, a legendary figure in environmental and ecological psychology, delves into the concept of 'affordances' and its profound implications. He traces the roots from William James to J.J. Gibson, advocating for a relational understanding of perception. The conversation highlights how children’s interactions with their environment reveal the dynamic nature of affordances. Heft also discusses the significance of educational experiences in fostering environmental awareness, emphasizing that teaching should be an act of love that shapes informed, responsive citizens.

Send a love messageNeuroscience, AI, and Philosophy with Paul from Brain InspiredCan we think about education (and age) differently? Was it worth it to give up academia, move into an RV and create a podcast?Can we think differently about computation and representation?Paul Middlebrooks is no gadfly but as you'll hear, the one thing he knows is that he does not know (as Plato quotes Socrates: "All I know is that I know nothing.") He quit academia and started a podcast and has since become an important voice to many of us through his questioning. #loveandphilosophy #neuroai #podcasting #neuroscience #brain #inspired Shownotes: www.loveandphilosophy.com Brain inspired just had its 200th episode ! And this is a celebration of it.Paul spent over 10 years as a neuroscientist studying visual decision-making in nonhuman primates. A few years as a technician, 4 years obtaining a PhD, and 6 years as a postdoctoral researcher. Then he left academia and he and his wife sold all their stuff, moved into an RV, and roamed around the country, ending up in Durango for a time. During that time, he also started Brain Inspired. Now Paul is a Special Faculty Research Associate in the Yttri Lab at Carnegie Mellon University, studying the wonders of neuroethology. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings00:06 Starting the Brain Inspired Podcast00:43 AI and Neuroscience: A Changing Landscape00:59 Philosophical Perspectives on AI03:28 Challenges in Neuroscience Terminology04:11 Struggles with Scientific Paradigms12:30 Exploring Metacognition in Monkeys20:27 Transitioning from Academia to Podcasting23:45 Recording Single Neurons: A Phenomenological Insight32:56 The Motivation Behind the Podcast42:37 Selling Everything and Hitting the Road42:56 Starting an Online Business43:11 The Birth of Brain Inspired44:10 Struggles and Financial Realities45:03 Returning to Academia45:43 The Role of Podcasts in Science Communication49:01 Philosophy and Neuroscience56:35 The Importance of Models in Science01:12:20 The Human Side of Academia01:14:31 Love and Legacy01:20:38 Final ReflectionsPatricia Churchland NeurophilosophyMark H. Bickhard: Mind as Process, Process MetaphysicsJoin #AndreaHiott and #PaulMiddlebrooks from the 'Brain Inspired' podcast. They discuss the evolution of neuroscience and AI from 2018 to 2024, personal journeys in academia, the influence of philosophical perspectives, and the nuances of love and consciousness. Paul shares insights on the challenges of balancing career ambitions with personal values and family life, and how his podcast has become a bridge for deeper learning and connection in the scientific community. This episode is a blend of professional insights and Support the showPlease rate and review with love. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Substack.