Lecture Notes: Understanding the Looping Effects in Mindfulness Science

Introduction

• Speaker: Dr. Evan Thompson
  • Position: Professor of Philosophy, University of British Columbia
  • Notable Works: "Waking, Dreaming, and Being," "Mind in Life," "Embodied Mind"
• Focus of Talk: Analyzing looping effects in mindfulness science and the role of embodied cognitive science.

Key Concepts

Looping Effects

• Definition: A process where a concept becomes real and reshapes self-conceptualization and social practices.
• Example: Mindfulness perceived as self-regulation of the brain, influencing social behavior, such as parenting or working.
• Origin: Coined by philosopher Ian Hacking.

Problematic Assumptions

1. Mindfulness as internal awareness of individual mind.
2. Mind equated with brain activity.

Critique of Current Neuroscience Models

• Illustration: Diagram associating mindfulness components with specific brain regions.
• Argument against oversimplification in associating mindfulness with distinct neural networks.

Philosophical Arguments

First Argument

• Mindfulness as an integrated exercise involving cognitive, affective, and bodily skills.
• Brain processes as enabling but not solely constitutive of mindfulness.

Second Argument

• Attribution of cognitive functions applies to the whole embodied subject.
• Many-many mapping between cognitive functions and neural networks, not one-one.

Supporting Evidence

• References to works by Michael Anderson, Luis Pessoa, and Christopher Mole.
• Example of parenting illustrating similar misconceptions in neural mapping.

Embodied Cognitive Science Perspective

4E Cognition

• Embodied: Cognition is not just brain-centered but involves the whole body.
• Embedded: Cognition involves interaction with the environment.
• Extended: Cognition extends to social and symbolic interactions.
• Enactive: Cognition as active engagement with the world.

Implications

• Mindfulness as inherently a social practice.
• Embodied cognitive science provides a broader framework beyond neuroscience-centered views.

Future Directions

• Emphasize sociocultural context in mindfulness studies.
• Involve cognitive anthropology and science studies in research teams.
• Deify mindfulness and tackle consumerist views of mindful subjects.

Questions and Discussion

• Addressing concerns about the Scientific American article's representation of mindfulness.
• The role of science journalism in shaping public perception.
• Importance of redefining investigative approaches incorporating social sciences.