How We Became Sensorimotor: Movement, Measurement, Sensation

The book "How We Became Sensorimotor" by Mark Paterson provides a systematic account of the century between 1833 and 1945 that transformed our understanding of the body's inner senses, revolutionizing fields like philosophy, the social sciences, and cognitive science. It explores the formation of various senses, including balance, fatigue, pain, and motricity, through recent scientific studies, case studies, and media coverage. The book also includes original archival research with illustrations and correspondence, showing how the historical background to our senses understanding is being extended even today.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 09 November 2021
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press

The years between 1833 and 1945 were a transformative era in the scientific understanding of the body's inner senses, revolutionizing fields such as philosophy, social sciences, and cognitive science. In his book "How We Became Sensorimotor," Mark Paterson offers a comprehensive account of this period, while also highlighting its significant implications for current explorations in phenomenology, embodied consciousness, the extended mind, and theories of the sensorimotor, body, and embodiment.

Each chapter of "How We Became Sensorimotor" focuses on a specific sense and traces its historical development through recent scientific studies, case studies, or media coverage. The book covers a wide range of sensations, including balance, fatigue, pain, the "muscle sense," and what Maurice Merleau-Ponty termed "motricity." Paterson's analysis extends beyond the laboratory to the industrial world, as well as to wild animals and their habitats. He uncovers fascinating stories, such as how forgotten pain-measurement schemes transformed criminology, or how Penfield's outdated concepts of sensory and motor homunculi continue to influence psychology textbooks.

The book is enriched with original archival research, featuring illustrations and correspondence, which illustrate how the historical background to our understanding of the senses is being extended even today. "How We Became Sensorimotor" is a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in the evolution of our sensory and motor abilities. It provides a systematic and engaging exploration of this transformative period, shedding light on the complex interplay between science, history, and the human experience.

Weight: 384g
Dimension: 140 x 217 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781517910006