ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Embodied philosophy

Embodied philosophy is a way of thinking about the world and our place in it that takes into account how our bodies and physical experiences shape our thoughts and beliefs. Imagine a puzzle with different pieces that fit together to make a picture. Our bodies and minds are like different puzzle pieces, and when we put them together, we get a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

So, let's break it down even further. When we say 'body', we mean everything from your toes up to your head. This includes your sense of touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. For example, when you touch something hot, your body tells your brain to pull away, and you learn that hot things can hurt you. That's an example of how your physical experience can affect your thinking.

'Philosophy' means thinking about big questions like 'What is the meaning of life?' or 'What is right and wrong?' Philosophers use their minds to think about these questions and come up with ideas about how to live a good life.

Embodied philosophy combines these two ideas by saying that our bodies and physical experiences are just as important as our thoughts and beliefs when thinking about these big questions. For instance, if you believe that all people deserve respect and kindness, but you never interact with people who are different than you, your thinking might not be very helpful. Your physical experience of meeting and interacting with different people can help you understand why treating others kindly is important.

So, in summary, embodied philosophy is thinking about big questions while also considering how your physical experiences and body contribute to your beliefs and ideas about the world.