Embodiment and Technology!

Mark Hansen begins by describing the body schema as the operational perspective of the embodied organism. With this he argues that the body is in fact a physical manifestation or visual apprehension of the embodied organism (Hansen is referring to the soul here). He further describes the body as a physical object (intentional in nature) and states that it communicates with the soul through transcendental means. According to him (and Shaun Gallagher, whom he frequently quotes), the body is but merely a system or collection of “motor capacities, abilities, and habits”. I disagree with them on the grounds that today it is known that the body is more than a mobile structure whose sole purpose is to “house the organism within”. Memories, for instance, are physically stored within the brain. To me, memories aren’t classified as abilities or habits. Memories are an intricate collection of complex combinations of sensory and interpretive qualities, referenced constantly by our conscious train of thought. Though I don’t fully understand the science of how the brain works or interacts with the rest of the body (or the soul, for that matter), I believe that there are things we aren’t meant to understand (and I disagree with Hansen on those grounds further).

As per the body’s relationship with technology, Hanson describes proprioception as a major element in the body’s ability to sense the orientation of mobile objects. He also differentiates between embodiment and its “representation image” (describing embodiment as an ontological operation). I agree with the stress Hansen puts on the aspect of perception, which is most important in the body’s relationship with technology.