Tag Archives: philosophy

Is the Universe Conscious?

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Administrator

Is everything at least a little conscious? It may sound crazy, but this idea, known as panpsychism, has a long and reputable history. Panpsychism was pretty much dismissed by 20th Century science, but it’s making something of a comeback. Some … Continue reading →

Posted in Cognitive science | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Embodied Ecology: A Relational Vision

Posted on December 2, 2018 by Administrator

One core principle lies at the heart of embodied ecology: We are relational earthbodies, fundamentally intertwined with the more-than-human-world. Almost every thinker I’ve discussed on this blog speaks that same truth in their own voice. Let’s listen to a few. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecopsychology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Glen Mazis

Posted on November 2, 2018 by Administrator

Glen Mazis is a philosopher and poet whose writing frequently merges both skills. I came across his book Earthbodies (2002) during my PhD research on embodied knowing and found it hugely exciting. Mazis explains that ‘bodies’ are much more than … Continue reading →

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Phenomenology: What is it and why should you care?

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Administrator

Would a sentient fish ever wonder what water is? Do you ever wonder what time is? Probably not: Some aspects of our experience are so ‘obvious’ that we just don’t notice them. Phenomenology is a philosophical approach that aims to … Continue reading →

Posted in Embodiment | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Samhain: Feast of the Dead

Posted on October 31, 2013 by Administrator

Tonight is the Pagan festival of Samhain, more commonly celebrated as Halloween. At Samhain Pagans celebrate our ancestors & beloved dead. It also offers an opportunity to meditate on our mortality, a fundamental aspect of embodiment which arguably makes life … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion and spirituality | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Stupidity of Rationalism

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Administrator

Last weeks edition of ‘In Our Time’ (BBC Radio 4) discussed game theory and gave a telling account of a scenario called The Prisoners Dilemma. Imagine that Jo and Jack have been arrested for a crime. The police know they’re guilty but can’t prove it, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Cognitive science | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Eugene Gendlin

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Administrator

Writing a PhD thesis on embodied knowing was a tricky task and at times I doubted that I could research something so nebulous. My big breakthrough came when I read the work of contemporary philosopher and psychologist Eugene Gendlin. Gendlin … Continue reading →

Posted in Key ideas | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Merleau-Ponty

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Administrator

This is the first of a series of posts that introduce thinkers who have been especially influential on my work. I begin with the French philosopher Merleau-Ponty (1908-1961), who was a pioneer in the study of embodiment. Merleau-Ponty was fascinated by our ‘being-in-the-world’ – the way … Continue reading →

Posted in Key ideas | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

London’s burning

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Administrator

Ubuntu is an African word which can be inadequately translated as ‘humanness’. It may, in fact, be untranslatable, but the principle is expressed in the African saying: ‘Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu’ – ‘A person is a person through other persons’. One of the most influential Western philosophers claimed that … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion and spirituality | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

What is the body?

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Administrator

What do somatic trainers talk about on a week-end get together? One hot topic was exploring what the body might be. We had a brainstorm on that topic one evening and selected our best one-liners for broadcast. This playful exercise suggests that there … Continue reading →

Posted in Embodiment | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments