In the most recent episode of the Mind Matters News podcast, hosts Brian Krouse and Robert J. Marks chatted with philosopher Dr. Mihretu Guta about the role of mirror neurons in understanding consciousness. Dr. Guta’s chapter in the book Minding the Brain critiques the popular interpretation of these specialized brain cells, which activate both when performing an action and observing others perform it.

Mirror neurons, discovered in macaque monkeys, have been linked to empathy, learning, and imitation. However, Dr. Guta emphasized the distinction between correlation and causation. While these neurons activate during certain behaviors, this does not prove they cause those behaviors. He also noted the limits of extending findings from monkey studies to human cognition.

Dr. Guta introduced three challenges: the “easy problem” of correlation, the “hard problem” of causation, and the “hardest problem” of consciousness and the “bearer question.” This hardest problem examines whether consciousness can be reduced to brain activity. He argued that mental states, such as the subjective experience of pain, have properties distinct from physical brain states, challenging the physicalist view that equates the mind with the brain.

Guta criticized the overblown claims about mirror neurons, echoing neuroscientist Gregory Hickok’s The Myth of Mirror Neurons (Norton 2014) which questions their purported function.

The episode highlights the need for integrating neuroscience with philosophy to unravel the mysteries of consciousness.

For more information on the book, visit MindingTheBrain.org.