Between Dualism and Reductionism: The Paradigm of Embodied Cognition

The term “Embodied Cognition” or “Embodied Mind” refers to a multidisciplinary approach of mind or consciousness, that has two, strongly related central considerations; the first one states that embodiment determines every level and segment of conscious functions, and the second asserts that consciousness can be best understood on grounds of
the body’s active relationship to its environment. We can fi nd this model in the natural scientific approach of consciousness, as well as in social and human sciences, and also in contemporary analytic philosophy of mind and continental philosophy, regarding the latter especially in phenomenology. Th ese diff erent approaches and conceptions engaged in a complex and intensive dialogue with each other, in order to create a synthetic, non-reductionist theory of consciousness, which is also an alternative to the Cartesian dualistic view of mind and body. In the present study I wanted to show in particular the phenomenological roots of this diverse and rich movement. In my opinion – in light of the results of contemporary scientifi c and philosophical endeavours concerning consciousness – perhaps this approach has the best chances to help us understand one of the greatest mysteries of philosophy and
the natural sciences: the fundamental nature and origins of consciousness.