Philosophy

The enactive mind: cognitive processes, art, and experience The course aims to rethink cognitive processes within the horizon opened up by the new 4E cognitive sciences, in order to bring out the constitutive dimension of corporeality and, in particular, of an “acting” body. The paradigm of the ‘embodied’ and ‘enactive’ mind aims to overcome the dualism of ‘internal/external’, and with it the ‘representationalist’ model of our experience of the world, allowing us to rethink the question of ‘continuity/discontinuity’ between human and non-human cognitive processes. Within this theoretical framework, and through the recent publication of one of its protagonists, Shaun Gallagher, the course aims first and foremost to offer an overview of the different, sometimes conflicting, theories that make up the diverse family of so-called ‘4E cognitive sciences’ (embodied, embedded, enactive, extended). Secondly, the course aims to analyze one of the founding works of the new cognitive sciences, namely the text by Varela, Thompson, and Rosch, “The Embodied Mind” (in its recent Italian translation). The analysis of this work will allow us to explore the paradigm of the embodied mind and analyze the various issues related to this paradigm. Thirdly, through Alva Noë's “sensomotor” theory of perception, the course aims to understand what it means to experience those particular objects we call “works of art.”

A basic knowledge of philosophy at secondary school level and a general understanding equivalent to a bachelor's degree are required.

(1) Gallagher S., Paradigmi della cognizione incarnata ed enattiva, Mimesis, 2025; (2) Varela F.J., Thompson E., Rosch E., La mente nel corpo. Scienze cognitive ed esperienza umana, Astrolabio, 2024 (parts to be specified); (3) Noë A., Strani strumenti. L'arte e la natura umana, Einaudi, 2022 (parts to be specified).

Class attendance is highly recommended.

The assessment consists of an oral examination lasting approximately 30 minutes on the topics and texts covered in class. The following elements will be subject to evaluation: (1) A comprehensive knowledge of the theories of the authors covered in the programme; (2) The ability to understand and critically analyse the texts covered in the programme; (3) The ability to discuss and reconstruct the topics and issues covered in class; (4) The ability to master the vocabulary of the authors covered in the programme; (5) The ability to explore the theories covered in class in a personal and original way. In order to pass the examination, it is necessary to satisfy the requirements of points (1) and (2). In order to be awarded marks above 27, it is necessary for students to satisfy all five of the indicated points.

The reference bibliography is not an examination material: (a) Caruana F., Borghi A., Il cervello in azione, il Mulino, Bologna, 2016

Lectures, seminars and text analysis. The course aims to encourage students to discuss topics, texts and issues addressed during the course in class.