Intersubjectivity and the concept of embodied consciousness in neurophilosophy
Философская мысль January 1, 2026 Anna Vladimirovna Shutaleva
Intersubjectivity is a constitutive property of embodied consciousness, grounded in shared action mechanisms and the mirror neuron system, which provides a common neural code for perceiving and executing actions. The author argues that perception, cognition, and consciousness depend on the body's interaction with the world, challenging traditional views of knowledge as objective and independent of the knower. Applying the concept of affordance within 4E cognition shows that the body actively shapes cognitive processes rather than being a mere instrument. Consciousness and body are inseparable; mental representations are tied to bodily experience and shaped by action possibilities. Intentionality involves a readiness to use affordances, forming an ecological niche reflecting an organism's form of life.