Research Article
On the Persistance of Dualism in our so-called Unified Neurosciences: The case of the autonomic nervous system
Author:
Nathalie Pattyn
Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel;
Department of Behavioural Sciences, Royal Military Academy, BE
Abstract
In the present paper, the historical overview of descriptions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is applied as a case study to serve the demonstration of the persistence of dualisms in our current framework of neurosciences. First, the four main views on the ANS are briefly summarised, with an emphasis on the latest one, being the neurovisceral integration perspectives, striving for an integrative view on cognition, emotion regulation and physiological adaptation. Second, an explanation is offered on why we are so reluctant to give up the explanatory framework of dualisms, based on both developmental psychology accounts and postmodernism philosophy. To conclude, an attitude based on positivism and epistemological anarchism is suggested for scientists.
How to Cite:
Pattyn, N., 2009. On the Persistance of Dualism in our so-called Unified Neurosciences: The case of the autonomic nervous system. Psychologica Belgica, 49(2-3), pp.101–110. DOI: http://doi.org/10.5334/pb-49-2-3-101
Published on
01 Jun 2009.
Peer Reviewed
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