RE: Metaphysics, Aesthetics, and Desire
Very interesting, I will follow you now.
What I am wondering is what influence not only our frontal cortex has, but also our organs, especially the colon. After all, it is equipped with a network of around 100 Million neurons, which is more than twice as much as the mouse brain contains and about half as much as a rat brain contains. Especially the latter can be very intelligent (think grid of the sewer system plus 1,000 members of the swarm).
That puts the gut feeling right on top of those things that we are driven by. After all, the human brain may be comprised of about 84 Billion neurons, but we only use about 5% of them, which is "only" 40 times compared to the colon - considering all neurons there have a purpose.
Bottom line: There is a chance that at least 2.5% of our conscience and therefore our "metaphysics" is being determined in our butt. Haven't heard of any philosopher discussing that :-)
Haha! Interesting take. I'll have to look into that. There are also strong effects of gut bacteria on cognition and perception, so there's probably something to this hypothesis! Followed back.
You're right and isn't there a cat virus that makes us a bit stupid and ill-aware for dangers? Or syphilis that makes us horny so it can spread better? You could almost say bacteria, viruses and the gut are the deep state of the human body - because it's them who are are really in control :-)