#411 Ann-Sophie Barwich - Smellosophy: What the Nose tells the Mind
RECORDED ON OCTOBER 20th 2020.
Dr. Ann-Sophie Barwich is Assistant Professor of History and Philosophy of Science and Cognitive Science at Indiana University Bloomington. She is a cognitive scientist and empirical philosopher & historian of science, technology, and the senses. She divides her brain-time between the Department of History & Philosophy of Science and the Cognitive Science Program. Estimated begin of lab (EEG/Olfactometry) in early 2021. She’s the author of Smellosophy: What the Nose tells the Mind.
In this episode, we focus on Dr. Barwich’s book, Smellosophy. We talk about the complexity behind the sense of smell, including the molecular complexity of the olfactory stimulus, receptor genes, its neuroscience, comparing smell with other senses, smell and memory, and smell and decision-making. In the second part of the talk, we deal with general questions in neuroscience and philosophy of mind (and philosophy of neuroscience), like functional localization, modularity of mind, qualia, mapping, and if we experience the real world. We also discuss interdisciplinarity in academia, and the relationship between science and philosophy nowadays.
Time Links:
The molecular complexity of the olfactory stimulus
Receptor genes
The neuroscience of smell
Comparing smell with other senses
Is the sense of smell innate or acquired?
The interaction between smell and memory
Can we trust wine tasters?
How smell influences decision-making (including choosing romantic partners)
Functional localization, and modularity of mind
Is the discussion surrounding qualia really relevant or fruitful?
The concept of mapping in neuroscience
Do we experience the real world?
Interdisciplinarity in academia
The relationship between science and philosophy
Asking better questions in science
Follow Dr. Barwich’s work!
Follow Dr. Barwich’s work:
Faculty page: http://bit.ly/37rCjre
Website: http://bit.ly/2weP4by
Academia.edu profile: https://bit.ly/2RCrD3Z
PhilPeople profile: https://bit.ly/2ylhMbJ
ResearchGate profile: http://bit.ly/38yvRji
Smellosophy: What the Nose Tells the Mind: https://amzn.to/3cmpVLI
Twitter handle: @smellosopher