1/4 Hour LabO #102: "What is the Brain For?" - Pierre Dufraisse

What is the Brain For Today?

To explore this question, we invited Pierre Dufraisse, director of the Naturopathy Center and Hermès, who trains therapists, particularly in the sports field. Pierre shares his passion for discovering lessons of wisdom in discomfort, a central theme of his upcoming seminar in Sarrebourg.

The Brain and Its Function

Pierre discusses the brain as a central element that allows us to make predictions and adapt to our environment. According to him, the coupling between perception and action is crucial. This helps us understand the world around us and act accordingly.

Cognitive Sciences

Cognitive sciences fascinate Pierre, particularly Varela's work on autopoietic systems. These systems create themselves, illustrating how the whole generates the parts and vice versa. This approach challenges old dualistic conceptions that separate mind and body.

Perception and Action

An interesting experiment involves kittens raised in darkness. Those that remain passive develop blind behaviors, while those exposed to light, and who act, retain their visual capacity. This observation highlights the importance of the interaction between perception and action for neural plasticity.

An Integrated Approach

We must move beyond a dualistic view to understand that the brain, body, and environment are intrinsically linked. Every action we take impacts our environment and vice versa. Pierre emphasizes the importance of a philosophical approach grounded in physiology to better grasp these interactions.

Conclusion and Invitation

The discussion concludes on an engaging note, with an invitation to join Pierre at his seminar. This will be an opportunity not only to theorize but also to practice techniques such as breathing and strengthening. The seminar promises to be a moment of sharing and enriching discovery.