Excited Society: Philosophy of Sensation

By Christoph Türcke

In his groundbreaking book, "Excited Society: Philosophy of Sensation," Christoph Türcke offers a profound exploration of the role of sensation in our understanding of the world and our place within it. Through a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between sensation and consciousness, Türcke argues that sensation is not merely a passive reception of external stimuli, but rather an active process of interpretation and meaning-making.

Sensation and Consciousness

Türcke begins by examining the traditional philosophical understanding of sensation as a purely passive process, in which the mind simply receives information from the external world. He argues that this view is inadequate, as it fails to account for the active role that the mind plays in interpreting and organizing sensory data.

Türcke proposes an alternative view of sensation as an active process of meaning-making. He argues that sensation is not simply a matter of receiving information, but rather a process of actively constructing our experience of the world. This process involves not only the interpretation of sensory data, but also the integration of this data with our existing knowledge and beliefs.

The Embodied Mind

Türcke's theory of sensation is closely linked to his concept of the embodied mind. He argues that the mind is not a separate entity from the body, but rather an integral part of it. This means that our experience of the world is not simply a matter of receiving information from the external world, but also of interacting with it.

Türcke's theory of the embodied mind has important implications for our understanding of consciousness. He argues that consciousness is not a separate entity from the body, but rather a product of the interaction between the body and the environment. This means that consciousness is not something that we have, but something that we do.

The Social Dimension of Sensation

Türcke also explores the social dimension of sensation. He argues that our experience of the world is not simply a matter of individual perception, but also of social interaction. This means that our sensations are not only shaped by our own individual experiences, but also by the experiences of others.

Türcke's theory of the social dimension of sensation has important implications for our understanding of culture and society. He argues that culture and society are not simply external forces that shape our experience of the world, but also products of our own sensory experience. This means that culture and society are not something that we are subject to, but something that we actively create.

Conclusion

"Excited Society: Philosophy of Sensation" is a groundbreaking work that offers a new understanding of the role of sensation in our experience of the world. Türcke's theory of sensation as an active process of meaning-making has important implications for our understanding of consciousness, the embodied mind, and the social dimension of sensation. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the philosophy of mind, the philosophy of perception, or the philosophy of culture.