Welcome to our dynamic lexicon! In the ever-evolving realm of NeuroHumanities, the meanings of terms and concepts can be as diverse and complex as the fields they represent. Recognizing this richness, we invite you, our community members, to contribute your own definitions. Building our list together and exploring the nuances of terms is not just about acknowledging different perspectives, but also about deepening our collective understanding.
Our field intersects with various disciplines, each bringing its own linguistic conventions and interpretations. Multiple definitions allow us to bridge these diverse academic languages. As our field continues to grow and intersect, the meanings of terms will also evolve. This lexicon aims to capture that dynamism.
Body-mind
The concept of “body-mind” refers to the integrated and inseparable nature of the physical body and the mind. This term challenges traditional dualistic views which separate mental processes from the body, emphasizing instead that mental states, emotions, and consciousness are deeply interconnected with and influenced by physiological processes and bodily experiences. In NeuroHumanities, this concept underlines the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and cognitive functions are not just products of the brain, but are also shaped by our bodily interactions with the world. Understanding “body-mind” is crucial in fields such as phenomenology, cognitive science, and psychosomatic medicine, as it acknowledges the holistic nature of human experience and the bi-directional relationship between our physical state and mental well-being. (meg)
The mind-body problem refers to questions of what the body’s relationship is to its mind. The mind-body problem also includes the gamut of how consciousness is defined, if consciousness exists, and how to delineate experiences of affect. Much of the mind-body problem has to do with mental causation, or how a person’s beliefs and desires can be linked to their behavior, attitudes, and/or judgments. It is important to note that there are profound theoretical disagreements as to whether or not the mind-body problem is entirely biological, or physical, or if there is another quality of experience that cannot be completely described with biology, anatomy, and/or neuroscience. A contemporary example, Patricia Churchland is a neuroethicist who can be classified as a physicalist. To note, these theoretical debates have a theological and spiritual valence, as some conceptions of the body and mind are more enabling of a human soul or soul substance than others. There is thus a distinction between dualists and monists, or those who think that there is a strict distinction between body and mind matter and those who believe that there is one unifying reality, substance, or matter. For example, John Milton was a monist who believed that humans are composed of one substance by God.
The mind-body problem has utility in terms of linking literary analysis with cognitive perspectives of the humanities. It is a portal to engage with the problematics of intermixing neuroscience and other perspectives of consciousness into literary analyses. Lisa Zunshine’s work is a gateway into this field, and thankfully, there are a growing number of cognitive literary studies publications to become more acquainted with the field. In particular, there has been critical uptake with Jane Austen’s novels and cognitive literary studies, so the mind-body problem is a useful mode of experimenting with pushing the limits of what literary analysis can do. As such, the mind-body problem is also a helpful hinge between neuroethics and the ethics of reading bodies, minds, consciousnesses, and which affects or presentations thereof are valued more than others. (sac)
Cognitive Literary Studies
Cognitive Literary Studies is an interdisciplinary field that applies insights and methods from cognitive science to the analysis and interpretation of literary texts. It examines how literature reflects, stimulates, and shapes mental processes, including perception, emotion, memory, and imagination. This approach goes beyond traditional literary analysis by considering how readers’ brains engage with narratives, characters, and language, exploring how our cognitive faculties influence our understanding and enjoyment of literature. Cognitive Literary Studies also investigates how literature can offer insights into the human mind, often using concepts from psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy to deepen our understanding of literary works and the experience of reading itself. This field bridges the gap between the sciences and the humanities, providing a rich, multidimensional perspective on literature and the cognitive processes it engages. (meg)
Cognitive Hermeneutics
Cognitive Hermeneutics is an interdisciplinary field that synthesizes approaches from cognitive science and hermeneutics, the study of interpretation, to explore how human cognition shapes and is shaped by the process of interpreting texts and cultural artifacts. It applies cognitive principles to understand how individuals comprehend, interpret, and find meaning in various forms of expression, such as literature, art, and historical texts. This field examines the mental processes involved in interpretation, including perception, memory, inference, and imagination, and investigates how these processes are influenced by cultural, historical, and personal contexts. Cognitive Hermeneutics also considers how cognitive biases, mental frameworks, and narrative structures affect our understanding and interpretation of the world around us. By integrating cognitive science with hermeneutic theory, Cognitive Hermeneutics offers a nuanced approach to understanding interpretation. It provides insights into the subjective and contextual nature of meaning-making, highlighting the role of the interpreter’s cognitive processes in shaping their understanding of texts and cultural phenomena. This field is valuable not only for scholars in literary and cultural studies but also for those interested in the cognitive aspects of interpretation and meaning-making in various domains.
Cognitive Hermeneutics, Cognitive Literary Studies (see below), and Cognitive Poetics (see below) are all closely related fields, but they each have distinct focal points within the intersection of cognitive science and literary analysis. Cognitive Hermeneutics focuses on the cognitive processes involved in interpretation broadly, across various forms of texts and cultural artifacts. It’s concerned with how people comprehend, make sense of, and derive meaning from different kinds of expressions and experiences. It emphasizes the role of the interpreter’s cognitive structures and processes in shaping their understanding of texts, art, history, and other cultural phenomena (meg)
Cognitive Poetics
Cognitive Poetics, a subfield of Cognitive Literary Studies, is an interdisciplinary field that combines insights from cognitive science with literary analysis to understand how people process and interpret texts. It applies theories and models from psychology, linguistics, and neuroscience to study the cognitive mechanisms underlying literary reading, interpretation, and aesthetic experience. This approach examines how narrative structures, metaphors, and figurative language affect mental processes, such as imagination, emotion, and memory, and how these processes influence readers’ experiences and interpretations of literature. Cognitive Poetics seeks to answer questions like how readers construct meanings from texts, the ways in which literature can evoke emotional responses, and how stylistic elements of writing interact with the brain’s cognitive faculties. It bridges the gap between the scientific study of the mind and the artistic exploration of narrative and poetry, providing a unique perspective on the complex relationship between language, literature, and the human mind. This field offers valuable insights not just for literary scholars, but also for anyone interested in the cognitive dimensions of reading and the arts. (meg)
Cognitive Science
Cognitive Science is an interdisciplinary field that studies the mind and its processes, including perception, thinking, learning, attention, reasoning, creativity, decision-making, and problem-solving. It integrates knowledge and methods from psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, anthropology, philosophy, and computer science, among others, to understand the nature of cognition. Cognitive Science seeks to explore how information is represented and processed in the brain and mind, and how these processes manifest in behavior and mental states. It also delves into artificial intelligence and machine learning, examining how computational models can mimic or explain human cognitive processes. By bridging diverse disciplines, Cognitive Science provides comprehensive insights into the complexities of human thought and consciousness, and applies these insights to various practical applications, such as improving educational practices, developing human-centered technologies, and enhancing mental health treatment. (meg)
Consciousness
Consciousness is a complex and multifaceted concept that generally refers to the state of being aware of and able to think about one’s own existence, sensations, thoughts, surroundings, and experiences. It encompasses qualities of awareness and the ability to experience feelings, perceive, and have subjective experiences. The nature of consciousness is a topic of great interest and debate across various fields, including psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and cognitive science. Despite extensive study, it remains partly a mystery, often referred to as the “hard problem” in philosophy and science due to the difficulty of explaining how and why we have subjective experiences. Understanding consciousness involves exploring how it arises from neural processes, its role in human cognition and behavior, and its variations across different states such as wakefulness, sleep, and altered states of consciousness. (meg)
Consciousness Studies
Consciousness Studies is an interdisciplinary field that explores the nature, origins, and functions of consciousness. This field encompasses a wide range of topics, including the biological basis of consciousness, the mind-body relationship, the nature of subjective experience, and the neural correlates of consciousness. It draws from disciplines such as neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, cognitive science, and even artificial intelligence and quantum physics. Researchers in Consciousness Studies aim to understand how subjective experiences arise from neural processes, how consciousness affects or is affected by human behavior and cognition, and the distinctions between conscious and unconscious states. The field also delves into more philosophical inquiries about the nature of self-awareness, free will, and the fundamental nature of reality as perceived by the conscious mind. Given its complexity and broad scope, Consciousness Studies is at the forefront of debates and research in understanding the human mind. (meg)
Cross-modal Perception
Cross-modal perception refers to the way our sensory systems interact and integrate information across different sensory modalities. This process allows us to perceive a coherent and unified experience from our multisensory inputs. For example, cross-modal perception is at work when we watch a movie and seamlessly integrate the visual and auditory information into a single experience. It involves the brain’s ability to combine information from one sensory modality, like sight, with another, like hearing or touch, enhancing the perception and interpretation of stimuli. This integration is fundamental to many everyday tasks and is a testament to the brain’s complex and adaptive processing capabilities. Cross-modal perception is also a key area of interest in understanding phenomena like synesthesia and in developing technologies for augmented and virtual reality, where the goal is to create immersive and realistic experiences by synchronizing multiple sensory inputs. (meg)
Death and Dying
Death is when a person’s biological functions cease to exist. Dying is applied to whole organisms and it can be applied to organ systems. While death is the end-point of a life, the dying process is what leads to death. Literature is notorious for depicting multiple forms of death, and literary studies have been charged with killing off the people behind textual and literary production. Death is not only a metaphor, since death and dying enable an understanding of what the value of a life is. Indeed, some lives are framed as more valuable than others, so the economy of death or who dies in X circumstances are key problematics in literature and art. If Kubler-Ross’ stages of grief are artificial or potentially false, the real and the imaginary can be constituted by what lives and dies in a person, society, and culture’s mental landscape. Death can be psychological, and people often have unvoiced preferences as to their preferred dying process. This is where death and dying in literature has an interconnectedness with the health humanities and bioethics. Each discipline has a moral, aesthetic, and praxis-based stake in examining the so-called good life in relation to the truth that life ends. Everyone will die, unless some “miracle” of technology or the digital can “revive” people or extend their livelihoods beyond our current purview of a lifespan. So, dying in digital spaces is a mechanism to consider the materiality of bodies, burial practices, and the ritualistic burials of texts themselves. If both the archive and the morgue are spaces of mortality, they are each positioned as sites of loss, instability, decay, affect, etc. Death and dying is thus a thread that provides insight as to how to read or map with the absences, losses, and instability of texts and material artifacts. It is also one that unites a human, animal, and non-organic understanding of decay and the dying process as political, historical, philosophical, metaphorical, impermanent, and othering amidst systems of power, hierarchy, and domination. Hence, ending this non-exhaustive account of major issues and key texts clues into the notion that death and dying is a topic that entangles the mind-body problem and questions of temporality into a cohesive project with discernable coordinates. (sac)
Dualism
Dualism is a philosophical concept that posits the existence of two fundamental and often contrasting principles or entities. In the context of philosophy of mind, dualism specifically refers to the idea that the mind and the body (or the mental and the physical) are two distinct kinds of substances or realities. The most famous advocate of this view was René Descartes, who argued for a clear division between the mind, which he saw as the seat of consciousness and identity, and the material body. This concept has been a central topic in philosophy, raising questions about the relationship between consciousness and the physical brain, the nature of reality, and how mental and physical states interact. Dualism contrasts with monistic theories, which hold that everything is composed of the same fundamental substance or reality, whether physical (materialism) or mental (idealism). In contemporary discussions, dualism is often contrasted with physicalist theories of the mind, which argue that mental states and processes can be fully explained in terms of physical processes in the brain. Dualism remains a significant perspective in philosophy and cognitive science, as it addresses fundamental questions about the nature of human existence and consciousness. (meg)
Epistemology
Epistemology is a branch of philosophy that studies the nature, origin, and limits of human knowledge. It deals with questions concerning what knowledge is, how it is acquired, and how we can differentiate between true and false beliefs. Epistemology explores the criteria for knowledge—what justifies a belief as being true or reliable. Central themes in epistemology include the analysis of concepts like justification, belief, and truth, as well as the investigation of skepticism, which questions the possibility of certain or absolute knowledge. Epistemology is crucial for understanding various fields, as it underpins the methods and principles through which knowledge is obtained. It examines the methods of inquiry used in science, the arts, and other disciplines, asking questions such as: How do we know what we know? Can we be certain of our knowledge? What is the role of perception, reason, and evidence in acquiring knowledge? By addressing these fundamental questions, epistemology aims to clarify the nature and scope of human understanding and intellectual inquiry. (meg)
Interdisciplinarity
Interdisciplinarity refers to the integration and synthesis of ideas, methods, and theories from multiple disciplines to address complex questions, solve problems, or create new knowledge and perspectives that are beyond the scope of a single discipline. It involves crossing traditional boundaries between academic fields and areas of study to draw on diverse expertise and approaches. Interdisciplinary research and work often emerge in areas where distinct disciplines overlap or in response to issues that cannot be adequately addressed by one field alone. The value of interdisciplinarity lies in its ability to bring together different viewpoints, tools, and skill sets, fostering innovation and comprehensive understanding. It is particularly relevant in addressing multifaceted global challenges, such as climate change, public health, social inequality, and technological advancement, which require holistic approaches and a blending of knowledge from the sciences, humanities, and arts. Interdisciplinary work encourages flexibility in thought, a willingness to venture beyond established frameworks, and a collaborative spirit, making it a key driver of progress and creativity in academic and practical endeavors. (meg)
Intersectionality
Intersectionality is a theoretical framework for understanding how aspects of a person’s social and political identities (gender, race, class, sexuality, ability, etc.) combine to create different modes of discrimination and privilege. Coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in the late 1980s, the concept highlights that the various aspects of identity are not isolated but are interconnected and cannot be examined separately from one another. Intersectionality suggests that individuals face multi-faceted layers of discrimination due to their various identity markers, creating a complex convergence of oppression and privilege. For example, the experiences of a Black woman in society are shaped by both racism and sexism, which intersect to create a unique set of challenges. This framework is crucial for understanding and addressing social inequality and injustice, as it reveals the dynamic interactions between different power structures and personal identities. Intersectionality has been influential in social sciences, feminist theory, and activism, offering a more holistic approach to social issues by acknowledging the multiple, overlapping factors that affect individuals’ experiences and access to power and resources. (meg)
Monism
Monism is a philosophical view that proposes the existence of a single, fundamental and indivisible substance or reality as the basis of all phenomena. It contrasts with dualism, which posits two separate realities (such as mind and matter), and pluralism, which suggests multiple fundamental substances or realities. Monism can manifest in various forms (Material, Idealistic, and Neutral). It seeks to provide a unified explanation of the world, simplifying the complexities of various phenomena to a single, coherent framework. In philosophy, neuroscience, and cognitive science, monistic theories attempt to resolve the mind-body problem by suggesting that there is no real distinction between the mental and the physical, proposing instead a unified understanding of reality. (meg)
Narratology
Narratology is the study of narrative and narrative structure and the ways that these affect human perception. It involves analyzing the structure of stories and the strategies used in narrative construction. This field examines elements such as plot, character development, narrative perspective, and the temporal sequence of events, exploring how these components work together to create a coherent story. Narratology is interdisciplinary, drawing on methods and theories from literary theory, linguistics, anthropology, and psychology, among others. It seeks to understand how narratives help us make sense of the world, convey meaning, and reflect cultural and social contexts. Narratologists study a variety of narrative forms, including novels, films, historical narratives, personal stories, and even non-fictional texts, to explore the universal and cultural-specific aspects of storytelling. By examining how stories are constructed and how they function in different contexts, narratology provides insights into the human tendency to organize experiences into narrative form, revealing the fundamental role that storytelling plays in human communication, cognition, and culture. (meg)
Neural Correlates of Aesthetic Experience
The neural correlates of aesthetic experience refer to the brain processes and structures involved in the perception, appreciation, and evaluation of beauty and art. This area of study combines neuroscience with aesthetics to understand how the brain responds to various forms of art, such as visual arts, music, literature, and performance arts. Researchers in this field use brain imaging techniques, like fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) and EEG (electroencephalography), to observe brain activity in response to aesthetic stimuli. These studies aim to identify the neural networks and pathways activated during aesthetic experiences, including areas related to emotional processing, reward, attention, and sensory integration. The exploration of the neural correlates of aesthetic experience seeks to answer questions such as: What happens in the brain when we perceive something as beautiful? How do different art forms influence our emotions and cognition? How do individual differences (such as cultural background, personal experiences, and preferences) affect the way we process and appreciate art? This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the human experience of art and beauty, offering insights into the complex interplay between sensory perception, cognitive processing, emotional response, and cultural influence in the realm of aesthetics. (meg)
NeuroAesthetics
Neuroaesthetics is an emerging field at the intersection of neuroscience and aesthetics, which studies the neural bases for the contemplation and creation of art. It seeks to understand how the brain processes aesthetic experiences, whether visual, auditory, or sensory, and how these processes relate to the perception of beauty, emotion, and pleasure. This field involves examining how different art forms – such as paintings, music, literature, or dance – affect the brain and elicit emotional and cognitive responses. Researchers use tools like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) to observe brain activity in response to artistic stimuli, exploring questions such as: What happens in the brain when we find something beautiful? How do the arts influence our emotions and thought processes? How do cultural and individual differences affect our perception of art? Neuroaesthetics not only provides insights into the biological underpinnings of aesthetic appreciation but also enhances our understanding of the human experience of art, informing discussions in art theory, psychology, and philosophy. By bridging art and science, neuroaesthetics offers a unique perspective on the intrinsic value of art in human life and its capacity to influence and reflect human cognition and emotion. (meg)
Neurodivergence
Neurodivergence refers to the variation in the human brain regarding sociability, learning, attention, mood, and other mental functions in a non-pathological sense. It is a concept that falls under the broader umbrella of neurodiversity, which posits that neurological differences are to be recognized and respected as any other human variation. Individuals who are neurodivergent have brain functions that diverge significantly from the dominant societal standards of “normal.” This can include conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, epilepsy, Tourette Syndrome, and others. Neurodivergent individuals often experience, interact with, and interpret the world in unique ways compared to those who are neurotypical, or whose brain functions align with the societal norm. The concept of neurodivergence is crucial in shifting perspectives from a deficit-focused view (where these conditions are seen primarily as disorders or disabilities that need to be treated or cured) to a diversity-focused view that values and respects these differences as part of the spectrum of human diversity. Embracing neurodivergence involves advocating for acceptance, accommodations, and support systems that allow neurodivergent individuals to thrive in society without being forced to conform to a neurotypical standard. (meg)
Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity is a concept that recognizes and respects neurological differences as natural and normal variations in the human brain. Originating from the autism community, the term has expanded to include a wide range of neurological conditions, such as ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette Syndrome, epilepsy, and others. The neurodiversity paradigm shifts the perspective from viewing these differences as deficits or disorders to be cured or fixed, to appreciating them as part of the spectrum of human diversity. It emphasizes that neurological differences should be respected and supported in the same way as other forms of human variation, like ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. This approach advocates for more inclusive and accommodating environments, both socially and professionally, that recognize the unique strengths and challenges of neurodivergent individuals. It also encourages society to reevaluate and adapt its structures, systems, and attitudes to be more inclusive and supportive of all kinds of cognitive functioning and expression. Neurodiversity has significant implications for education, employment, healthcare, and social policy, promoting the idea that neurodivergent individuals should have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else, and that their contributions to society are valuable and important. (meg)
NeuroEthics
Neuroethics is an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of neuroscience and ethics, focusing on the ethical, legal, and social implications of neuroscientific research and its applications. It deals with questions about the responsible conduct of neuroscience research, the implications of neurotechnologies, and the ethical use of neuroscientific insights in society. Neuroethics is crucial for guiding the responsible advancement of neuroscience and its applications, ensuring that the benefits of neuroscientific discoveries are maximized while minimizing harm and respecting individual rights and social values. (meg)
NeuroHumanities
NeuroHumanities is an emerging interdisciplinary field that integrates neuroscience with the humanities, including literature, philosophy, arts, history, and linguistics. This field explores how studies of the brain and nervous system can inform our understanding of cultural, artistic, and philosophical issues, and vice versa. NeuroHumanities aims to bridge the gap between the sciences and the humanities, fostering a dialogue that enriches both domains. Key areas of focus in NeuroHumanities include understanding the neural basis of creativity, aesthetic experience, and emotional responses to art and literature; exploring the relationship between language, cognition, and brain function; and examining historical and philosophical perspectives on the mind and brain. By applying neuroscientific methods and theories to humanities subjects, NeuroHumanities offers new insights into the neural underpinnings of human culture, thought, and experience. This field also addresses how neuroscientific findings can be interpreted and made relevant in a broader cultural and ethical context, contributing to discussions about what it means to be human. NeuroHumanities represents a collaborative and integrative approach, promoting a holistic understanding of human nature that encompasses both biological and cultural dimensions. (meg)
Neurophenomenlogy
Neurophenomenology is an interdisciplinary research approach that combines neuroscience with phenomenology to study consciousness and subjective experience. This field seeks to bridge the gap between the subjective, first-person perspective of phenomenological experience and the objective, third-person perspective of brain science. Neurophenomenology proposes that to fully understand the mind and consciousness, it’s essential to integrate the insights from personal, lived experience with empirical data about brain activity. The approach involves correlating subjective reports of mental states and experiences (gathered through techniques like introspection and meditation) with objective measures of brain function (such as EEG or fMRI). This method aims to create a more comprehensive understanding of how consciousness emerges from neural processes. Neurophenomenology is particularly influential in cognitive science and consciousness studies. It challenges traditional neuroscientific approaches that solely focus on objective observation, arguing that a complete understanding of consciousness requires considering the phenomenological aspects of human experience. This approach has implications for understanding various mental states, including perception, meditation, and altered states of consciousness, and it contributes to the development of a more integrated approach to studying the mind. (meg)
Neurophilosophy
Neurophilosophy is an interdisciplinary field that combines methods and theories from neuroscience and philosophy to address fundamental questions about the nature of the mind, consciousness, and mental phenomena. It aims to bridge the gap between empirical brain research and philosophical analysis, exploring how neuroscientific discoveries inform our understanding of traditional philosophical problems. Key areas of interest in neurophilosophy include the mind-body problem, the nature of consciousness, the neural basis of mental processes, and the implications of brain research for concepts like free will, self-identity, and moral responsibility. Neurophilosophers investigate how findings in neuroscience can shed light on these issues, and conversely, how philosophical inquiry can guide and inform neuroscientific research. By integrating neuroscience with philosophical inquiry, neurophilosophy seeks to create a more comprehensive understanding of the human mind, offering insights into both the biological underpinnings of mental phenomena and their philosophical implications. It represents a collaborative approach to tackling some of the most profound and complex questions about human nature and cognition. (meg)
Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This adaptability allows the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain to compensate for injury, disease, and adjust their activities in response to new situations or changes in their environment. Neuroplasticity challenges the once widely-held notion that the brain’s structure is largely immutable after a certain period of early childhood. It underscores the brain’s capacity to change and adapt as a result of experience, learning, and rehabilitation. This concept is fundamental in understanding brain development, learning, memory, and recovery from brain damage. It also has significant implications in various therapeutic contexts, suggesting that the brain can be trained or rehabilitated to improve cognitive functions, manage mental health conditions, and recover lost abilities. (meg)
Neuroqueer
Neuroqueer is an interdisciplinary term that emerges from the intersections of neurodiversity and queer theory. Neuroqueer involves applying queer theory’s principles of challenging societal norms and categories to neurodiversity, an approach that questions conventional understandings of neurological development and cognitive processing, advocating for a broader, more inclusive view of neurodivergent experiences. For some, neuroqueer is an identity that reflects the interconnection of neurodivergent and queer experiences. It acknowledges that one’s neurological makeup and gender or sexual identity can mutually influence and inform one other, leading to unique lived experiences. Neuroqueer challenges pathologizing narratives around neurodivergence, promoting the acceptance and celebration of diverse neurological experiences as natural variations in human cognition and behavior. It often involves activism aimed at deconstructing societal biases and advocating for the rights and acceptance of both neurodivergent and queer individuals. Neuroqueer activism seeks to create spaces where neurodivergent expressions and queer identities are embraced and valued. Neuroqueering can also refer to the practice of engaging with the world in ways that defy neurotypical norms and expectations, including unique approaches to language, creativity, and interaction. Neuroqueer, as a concept and practice, represents a fusion of critical and activist stances, promoting a deeper understanding and acceptance of the diversity of human minds and identities. One of the key figures in popularizing and exploring the concept of neuroqueerness is Nick Walker, a neurodiversity scholar and activist. She, along with M. Remi Yergeau and Athena Lynn Michaels-Dillon, has significantly contributed to the development and understanding of neuroqueer as an identity and a theoretical approach. (meg)
Phenomenology
Phenomenology is a philosophical approach that focuses on the study of conscious experience from the first-person perspective. It seeks to understand and describe how things appear in our experience, in the way we perceive, think, and feel about them, without preconceived notions or theories. Founded by Edmund Husserl in the early 20th century, phenomenology aims to explore the essence of phenomena — how things present themselves to consciousness. It involves a detailed analysis of experience, including aspects of time, space, body, and the interrelation between the perceiver and the perceived world. Phenomenology is influential in various disciplines, including psychology, sociology, and the arts, providing a framework for exploring human experience, consciousness, and the subjective reality of individuals. By emphasizing direct experience, phenomenology offers a counterpoint to purely objective or empirical approaches, highlighting the complexity and richness of human perception and thought. (meg)
Somatics
Somatics refers to a field of study and practice that emphasizes internal physical perception and experience, focusing on the soma, or the body as perceived from within. It encompasses various holistic approaches and techniques that integrate mind and body to enhance bodily awareness, movement, and overall wellbeing. Somatic practices often include mindful movement, bodywork, and kinesthetic awareness, aiming to foster a deeper connection between the mind and the physical body. These methods are used for stress reduction, improving posture and movement, healing from trauma, and enhancing bodily function and performance. In the broader context of health and wellness, somatics emphasizes the importance of bodily sensations and proprioception as key components of human experience, advocating for a more integrated and embodied approach to health, psychology, and personal development. (meg)
Synesthesia
Synesthesia is a neurological condition in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. Common forms of synesthesia include seeing colors when hearing music or perceiving specific tastes in response to certain words. This condition illustrates the interconnectedness of sensory experiences in the brain, revealing unique cross-modal associations. Synesthetes, or individuals with synesthesia, often describe their experiences as a natural and integral part of their perception. Synesthesia challenges traditional understandings of sensory processing and has been a subject of interest in both neuroscience and the arts, offering insights into the brain’s perceptual and cognitive organization. It highlights the diversity of human sensory experience and provides a valuable window into the complex interplay of the senses in the brain. (meg)
Temporality
Temporality is a direct transition from a topic that maps onto spatial reckonings of the body and the psychological, colonial, ontological, etc. ramifications of the geographies we inhabit. Time and space can and should be considered in interlocking measures, but for the purposes of this assignment, I will focus on time as its own problematic. Temporality is a linear sense of the past, present, and future. The term “temporality” is also used in critiques of a linear sense of time. Key “traditional” thinkers of this field include Husserl, Heidegger, Derrida, and Kant. Other forms of temporal theorizing, such as in queer and disability studies, create space to bend and unmake a linear progression of time and embodiment. The way that a person experiences time is inflected by their standpoint, embodiment, and experiences. It is crucial to note that temporality also relates to how forms of violence are sustained in acute and long-term time frames. This can include questions of how time weathers the body and mind in illness or how time impacts peoples’ social relations and arrangements. As a matter of fact, the entire field of literary studies is entrapped in the valences of history and future orientations and instances of past oppressions. How history cannot be untangled with literary engagement and production is a query for temporality. Temporality is, therefore, an incredibly effective means to engage with archives and their materials. This is because the materials that are preserved and lost have an ethical inclination to historical preservation. Nevertheless, the notion of preserving anything in a pristine condition is rendered hopeless with regards to how time decays things, people, and the worlds humans imagine and inhabit. Temporality can become its own dialectic across literature, historical periods, in specified, singular accounts. Time also refers to an expansive, futuristic sense of what is collapsing and expanding in our cultural milieus. If anything, temporality is a cornerstone of literary studies, one that marries the physical and digital to an unmoored construct that humans have invented. (sac)