#67: Autonomy, Autopoiesis & the Enactive Approach with philosopher Ezequiel Di Paolo

In this episode of the Love & Philosophy podcast, host Andrea introduces Mirko Prokop, a philosophy PhD student, who interviews Ezequiel Di Paolo, a prominent philosopher in enactive cognition. The conversation delves into the roots of the enactive approach, particularly the work of Francisco Varela and his book "Principles of Biological Autonomy." They discuss key concepts such as autopoiesis, autonomy, and organizational closure, exploring how these ideas relate to the co-creation of individuals and their environments. The discussion further explores the relationship between autonomy and the enactive approach's concept of "bringing forth the world," the challenges of defining the body within embodied cognitive science, and the social dimensions of embodiment through participatory sensemaking. The conversation touches on the primordial tension in social interactions, the role of love in communication, and the complexities of authenticity in a constantly changing world, as well as the challenges of staying true to one's ideas in an academic context.