Mind & Life

Evan Thompson - Expanding Our View of the Mind

Listen Later

In this episode, Wendy speaks with philosopher of mind Evan Thompson about embodied cognition and contemplative science. Evan is one of the earliest contributors to advancing the dialogue between Buddhism and Western science through his work with Mind & Life co-founder Francisco Varela, and he's spent decades exploring how the human mind extends beyond the brain, throughout the body and into the world. In this conversation, they discuss:

  • his unique upbringing and educational path;
  • his work with Francisco Varela and the beginnings of the conversation between Buddhism and cognitive science;
  • why philosophy matters;
  • the project of neurophenomenology and the integration of first- and third-person methods;
  • the problem of neurocentrism;
  • 4E cognition (that mind is embodied, embedded, extended, and enacted);
  • the “self” as construction vs. illusion;
  • how predictive models of mind line up with the enactive view;
  • whether or not meditation is a special avenue to reveal the nature of the mind;
  • the need for more thought systems and religions at the table in contemplative science;
  • and why it's critical today to understand the human mind in nuanced ways.

    • Full show notes and resources

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    Mind & LifeBy Mind & Life Institute
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7

    4.7

    276 ratings

    More shows like Mind & Life

    View all
    The One You Feed by Eric Zimmer

    The One You Feed

    2,560 Listeners

    Tara Brach by Tara Brach

    Tara Brach

    10,625 Listeners

    Tricycle Talks by Tricycle: The Buddhist Review

    Tricycle Talks

    377 Listeners

    Untangle by Untangle

    Untangle

    861 Listeners

    Good Life Project by Jonathan Fields / Acast

    Good Life Project

    3,362 Listeners

    Sounds True: Insights at the Edge by Tami Simon

    Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

    1,875 Listeners

    Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield by Be Here Now Network

    Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield

    1,487 Listeners

    Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg by Be Here Now Network

    Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg

    706 Listeners

    Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein by Be Here Now Network

    Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein

    961 Listeners

    On Being with Krista Tippett by On Being Studios

    On Being with Krista Tippett

    10,195 Listeners

    10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

    10% Happier with Dan Harris

    12,760 Listeners

    Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

    Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

    2,535 Listeners

    Living Myth by Michael Meade

    Living Myth

    1,026 Listeners

    Emergence Magazine Podcast by Emergence Magazine

    Emergence Magazine Podcast

    508 Listeners

    The Way Out Is In by Plum Village

    The Way Out Is In

    1,376 Listeners