Dr. John Teske, a professor of psychology at Elizabethtown College, has recently had his work published in Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science.
Teske has his work published in Zygon regularly; his latest piece appears in Zygon’s September 2013 publication. Teske’s work in this particular volume is centered upon the concept of embodied cognition, which holds that “cognitive processes are deeply and inescapably rooted in our bodily interactions with the world.” Prior to his latest work for Zygon, Teske contributed to several other publications, most of which concern topics in neuroscience.
Beginning in 1981 with a piece covering metatheoretic issues in cognitive science in the Journal of Mind and Behavior, Teske has written about cognition and similar topics for decades. This is Teske’s 12th publication in Zygon, to which he has been contributing since 1996. Moreover, Teske’s expertise led to his being named one of Blackwell Publisher’s Most-Cited Writers, a highly prestigious honor.
Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science is a publication that hones in on the interactions between science and structures, such as religions and moral conviction. Cosmology, physics, biology and the neurosciences are discussed in the journal, providing an appropriate platform for presenting Teske’s work. The concept of embodied cognition is rooted deep in neuroscience, but also touches on subjects like sociology, morality and religion. While cognition is a function of the brain, embodied cognition concerns actions and reactions that are performed independent of the brain. Embodied cognition differs from typical cognition in that it doesn’t include the brain at all; it examines alternate body parts and doesn’t rely on a thought process.
In his published work, Teske explores the concept and what kind of effect it may have in the real world. Teske’s writing analyzes areas in which embodied cognition comes into play, particularly in a physical manner, as with reactionary time. An example he used is motorcycle racing. At 100-plus speeds the motorcyclists are moving at during a race, even the brain’s split-second cognition cannot handle all the crucial details and choices that need to be noticed and made in order to race safely and competitively.
Therefore, embodied cognition comes into play at these points, with the body automatically adjusting and reacting to its situation independent of the brain so as to be quick enough to avoid crashing and win the race. Teske also points out that there are very few professional motorcycle racers over the age of 25, as by that point in their lives, the racers’ reaction times slow down. Without the benefit of embodied cognition, older racers are less physically capable of keeping up with their opponents, and staying safely seated upon their bikes.
Teske expands on his concept of embodied cognition beyond the physical realm, into societal and religious dimensions as well. He covers externalism, which features decisions and reactions being made outside of the brain, whether through a different body part, or even an external mechanism, such as a car. Teske wrote his article about the idea of embodied cognition, which gives explanations regarding the human body and larger groups and ideas that humans make up, such as religion. He exhibits an obvious passion and interest in the subject. His work is an enormous asset to journals such as Zygon.
