New Publication: The Bodily Origin of Self-Reflection

I am pleased to announce that my latest chapter will be featured in the upcoming book, Thinking About Oneself: The Place and Value of Reflection in Philosophy and Psychology, edited by Waldomiro J. Silva Filho and Luca Tateo (Springer).

Book Details:

• Title: Thinking About Oneself: The Place and Value of Reflection in Philosophy and Psychology

• Series: Philosophical Studies Series

• Publisher: Springer

• View on Springer's Website

Chapter 9: Bodily origin of self-reflection and its socially extended aspects Shogo Tanaka (Tokai University)

While we often presuppose that reflection is a purely mental act—a tradition stemming from Descartes—I argue that its true origin lies in our bodily experience.

In this chapter, I provide a genetic account of self-reflection through the lens of phenomenology and cognitive science. While traditional phenomenology often focuses on the body as a "subject" of action, I explore the "body-as-object." Our ability to perceive our own body as an intentional object precedes and underpins the psychological experience of self-reflection.

Furthermore, I discuss how this "body-as-object" is shared with others, extending the act of reflection into the realms of intersubjectivity, empathy, and social anxiety. Ultimately, the analysis suggests that being a self-reflective agent and being a social agent are two sides of the same coin.

I hope you find the perspective insightful.

Best regards,

Shogo

New Publication: Rethinking the Japanese Self through Embodiment

I am pleased to share a new contribution to the field of cultural psychology, recently published by Routledge:

Book Details:

• Title: The Challenges of Cultural Psychology: Historical Legacies and Future Responsibilities

• Editors: Gordana Jovanović, Lars Allolio-Näcke, and Carl Ratner

• Publisher: Routledge (2018)

• View Book on Routledge

This volume offers a comprehensive look at the historical foundations and future directions of cultural psychology. My contribution focuses on a re-examination of the Japanese self.

Chapter 17: The Self in Japanese Culture from an Embodied Perspective Shogo Tanaka (Tokai University)

In this chapter, I aim to move beyond the traditional "West vs. East" dichotomy that has long dominated cross-cultural psychology.

While existing literature often defines the Japanese self as "interdependent," "collective," or "relationship-dependent," I propose that these characteristics can be better understood through the lens of embodiment. By shifting the focus to the embodied mind—a paradigm that has radically changed the cognitive sciences since the 1990s—we can find a more universal path to understanding the self.

If the self is fundamentally embodied, then "independence" and "interdependence" are not merely cultural labels, but different ways an embodied self can be constituted regardless of background.

This chapter may be of particular interest to those exploring the intersection of phenomenology, embodiment, and culture. If you would like to discuss these themes further, please feel free to reach out.

Best,

Shogo

 

New Paper: The Bodily Basis of the Self

I am happy to announce that my new paper on embodiment has been published in Human Arenas (Springer). 

Paper Details:

• Title: Bodily basis of the diverse modes of the self

• Journal: Human Arenas, 1, 223-230 (2018)

Core Concept

In this paper, I argue that bodily experiences underpin all facets of the mind—from pre-reflective action to social and individualistic modes of being. I explore the self through three distinct bodily dimensions:

1. Body-as-subject (The body as the "I" that acts)

2. Body-as-object for oneself (The body as something we observe)

3. Body-as-object for others (The body as it appears in the social world)

Toward a "Phenomenology of Clothing"

In the final section, I use the everyday experience of wearing clothes as a concrete example. Drawing on personal experience, I describe how clothing illustrates the complexity and dynamism of the self’s relationship with the body.

While this "phenomenology of clothing" is still in its early stages, I believe it is a promising area for further inquiry. If you are interested in exploring this topic or developing these ideas together, please let me know—I would welcome the conversation!

Regards,

Shogo