Antonino Bucca

MIRROR NEURONS, EMPATHY, LANGUAGE A REVIEW ON THE EVOLUTION OF LINGUISTIC FUNCTIONS

Since the discovery of the mirror neuron system (MNS), in the ’90s of the last century, a considerable number of studies – not only proliferated within neurosciences, but also in the field of cognitive sciences (philosophy, psychology, linguistics, etc.) – has reinvigorated research and debate on the origins of language. In light of these investigations, we ask to what extent the hypothesis of a possible embodied development process of the verbal language may reach. Or, to what measure the perceptual and motor sensory elements have been crucial to characterize the auditory-vocal synergy from the continuity with earlier forms of gestural communication? Finally, what was the role of the group, that is the emotional, relation and social context of this complex evolution: in particular, can it be considered a connection between empathy and the evolution of linguistic functions? In this paper we will try to give some answers by referring to the recent scientific literature on the activity of mirror neuron systems. We will also aim to trace the biological basis, primarily emotional, but also
cognitive, of empathy that would be decisive in the stages which, from the evolution of the most archaic forms of gestural communication, led to the development of verbal language.

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