Corporeal Theology

Appropriating insights from empirical findings and theoretical constructs of embodied cognition

This study explores how theological understanding is accommodated to the bodily nature of human cognition.

The principle of divine accommodation

Provides a theological framework for considering the human cognitive capacities that are accommodated by theological concepts and ecclesial practices.

Embodied cognition paradigm

A rich portrait of the nature of human cognitive capacities is drawn from an emerging paradigm in cognitive science, embodied cognition, which proposes that cognition depends upon bodily sensorimotor systems to ground concepts and to draw upon environmental resources.

Theological implications of embodied cognition

Embodied cognition's hypothesis that human concepts are grounded in sensorimotor states poses a theological quandary for God-concepts, since identifying God with sensorimotor content risks idolatry.

The incarnation resolves this problem in theological epistemology by grounding God-concepts in bodily understanding, while avoiding idolatry.

Thus, the incarnation represents an accommodation to human conceptual capacities.

Sensorimotor engagement and cognition

Embodied cognition further hypothesises that cognition relies on sensorimotor engagement with the world rather than internal mental representations.

Subsequently, in addition to the brain, bodily states and environmental artefacts scaffold cognitive processes.

Embodied religious practices

A scaffolded view of cognition highlights the cognitive import of embodied religious practices, which choreograph the body and curate material culture.

Application to Christian practices

Tobias Tanton applies dozens of studies identifying mechanisms by which bodily or environmental factors influence cognition to the embodied and material dimensions of Christian practices.

On account of their inherent cognitive effects, practices are theorised to have intrinsic embodied meanings alongside symbolic ones established by conventions.

Consequently, liturgy is seen as a bearer of theological content rather than merely an expression of it; a locus of religious experience; and a crucial determinate of religious and ethical formation.

Embodied cognition and liturgy

Again, the embodied nature of Christian liturgy is understood in terms of accommodation.

Conclusion

Embodied cognition research helpfully illuminates the details of human embodiment to which theological understanding must be accommodated.