#51: Body Knowledge with philosophers Shay Welch and Elena Cuffari

Send a love message Elena Clare Cuffari is a Professor at Franklin and Marshall College. Shay Welch is a professor at Spelman College in Atlanta. In this episode, they discuss embodied cognition and participatory sensemaking in relation to marginalized body epistemologies. They share insights from a recent conference that brought together diverse perspectives on how embodied cognition intersects with issues of race, gender, and activism. Welch emphasizes that she never separates her scholarship from her personal life, seeing philosophy as inherently connected to her lived experience. Cuffari highlights the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of her work with colleagues, which seeks to challenge traditional philosophical boundaries. They address the challenges of integrating marginalized voices into academic fields and the importance of recognizing the body's knowledge. The conversation also touches on the discomfort that arises in both academic and social contexts when established norms are challenged, and how this requires responsibility beyond blame.  00:00 Building a Community for Philosophical Dialogue 02:02 Introduction to Embodied Cognition and Participatory Sensemaking 02:22 Exploring Personal Philosophical Interests 04:11 Defining Embodied Cognition and Participatory Sensemaking 08:08 The Roots and Relevance of Embodied Cognition 15:14 Challenges in Academia and Marginalized Philosophies 28:51 The Concept of Normalcy in Philosophy and Society 37:17 Addressing Misunderstandings in Philosophy 39:34 Inclusivity and Change in Philosophy 43:18 Discomfort and Openness in Philosophical Inquiry 49:44 Marginalized Body Epistemologies 01:01:43 The Intersection of Philosophy and Personal Experience 01:05:57 Reflections on the Conference and Future DirectionsClick to Substack page here for references and more.Shay Welch: https://spelman.academia.edu/shaywelchRead Rebecca Todd's post about Shay Elena Cuffari: https://www.elenaclarecuffari.com/Women in embodied Cognition: https://women-4e.com/Oxford Handbook of 4E CognitionWhat is Feminist Phenomenology?The Phenomenology of a Performative Knowledge System: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-04936-2#bibliographic-informationLinguistic Bodies: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262547864/linguistic-bodies/Shay interviewElena motivationThe quote Shay reads is chapter 8 of this book:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/oppression-and-the-body-christine-caldwell/1126641713Full intro and notes here.Care is not the opposite of love. It is the very urge of life. 'Caring for what?' is the primary question. That we have a choice about what we care for and how is what makes us human, but it's quite the challenge and responsibility. Let's help one another handle it.Support the showBuy Holding Paradox: The Navigational Approach to Mind and Consciousness by Andrea HiottSign up for Making Ways newsletter and projects.Please rate and review with love. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Substack.