Stephen W. Porges, Polyvagal Perspectives: New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 352 pp.

Abstract

In philosophical study (something that can equally be applied to other scientific fields), the relationship between the human mind and body has always occupied a prominent place throughout history. However, in this field of inquiry the results and theses differ; in more extreme cases, they even end up opposing one another. In this sense, while some researchers argue that the human person is either the mind or the body—disregarding, or even eliminating, the other entity—others maintain, by contrast, that both are in fact the same entity.

For their part, some researchers who occupy, so to speak, an intermediate position argue that the human mind and body cannot establish any relationship and therefore cannot «dialogue» with one another (even while simultaneously affirming that they are essentially distinct entities). Others, however, propose a more realistic view of these entities, showing how, despite being distinct, the human mind and body can indeed relate to one another.