Mirror Neurons: Physiological Requirement for Emotional Empathyand Social and Moral Behaviour Of Human and Nonhuman Primates

Authors

  • Vicente Claramonte Sanz Área de Lógica y Filosofía de la Ciencia, Departamento de Filosofía, Universitat de València

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48160/18532330me8.172

Keywords:

philosophy of biology, evolutionist epistemology, emotional empathy, mirror neurons

Abstract

Based on scientific evidence and studies achieved by researchers as Rizzolatti, Sinigaglia, Gallese, Goldman, Iacoboni, etc., this paper argues that link between mirror neurons and emotional empathy becames corroborated by Neuroscience studies about perceptive activity and emotional responses. And in particular by Damasio’s contributions about certain brain damages and its effects in emotional activity, in social skills and damaged patient’s cognitive evaluation ability before and after damage. Latter, the paper checkssome plausible inferences about role accomplished by neuron mirror activity and intersubjective empathy experience in development of social behaviour with strong moral implications, as cooperation, altruism and solidarity. The paper ends considering some objections suggested against function and relevance of mirror neurons in emotional empathy experience and development of social behaviour.

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Published

2018-04-01

How to Cite

Claramonte Sanz, V. (2018). Mirror Neurons: Physiological Requirement for Emotional Empathyand Social and Moral Behaviour Of Human and Nonhuman Primates. Metatheoria – Journal of Philosophy and History of Science, 8(2), 15–22. https://doi.org/10.48160/18532330me8.172