Consciousness is always embodied from "summary" of Phenomenology of Perception by Maurice Merleau-Ponty
At the heart of the phenomenological investigation lies the profound recognition that consciousness is inherently intertwined with the body. This fundamental insight challenges the traditional dualistic view that posits a strict separation between mind and body, suggesting instead a deeply intertwined relationship where the body is not merely a vessel for consciousness, but an integral part of its very constitution. Embodiment is not simply a matter of physical presence in the world, but a dynamic and reciprocal engagement with the environment. The body is not just a passive object acted upon by consciousness; rather, it actively shapes and informs our experience of the world. Our perceptions, emotions, and actions are all mediated through the body, which serves as the primary means through which we engage with and make sense of the world around us. This embodied nature of consciousness is evident in the way that our bodily experiences are not just physical sensations, but are imbued with meaning and significance. For example, the feeling of warmth from the sun on our skin is not just a purely tactile sensation, but carries with it a sense of comfort, pleasure, or nostalgia. Our bodily experiences are always already intertwined with our emotional, cognitive, and cultural frameworks, shaping the way we interpret and make sense of the world. Moreover, our bodily experiences are not isolated events, but are part of a larger gestalt of embodied existence. Our movements, gestures, and bodily postures are not just individual actions, but are part of a broader bodily schema that reflects our habitual ways of being and interacting with the world. This bodily schema is not fixed or predetermined, but is constantly evolving and adapting in response to our interactions with the environment. In this way, consciousness is always embodied, in the sense that our bodily experiences are not separable from our cognitive and emotional lives. The body is not a passive object that merely houses consciousness, but is an active and integral part of our lived experience. This recognition of the embodied nature of consciousness opens up new possibilities for understanding the rich and complex ways in which we engage with the world and make sense of our place within it.
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