A very complex network of social interactions characterises our life. Thus, to survive we must be aware of the behaviour of others, explained the 2014 Brain Prize award winner and world-renowned neuroscientist Giacomo Rizzolatti.

Speaking during a talk held at the Palace in Valletta, Prof. Rizzolatti said the classical philosophical stance is that we understand others by inferring their internal mental states and by ascribing them a causal role in generating the observed behaviour.

Often, however, in our daily life, we make sense of others’ behaviour without resorting to this. Proof of this is Prof. Rizzolatti’s breakthrough discovery, the existence of a mechanism that allows a direct, empathic understanding of others. This is now known worldwide to be called, The mirror neuron mechanism, a neural mechanism to understand others.

Prof. Rizzolatti’s talk was organised by the Malta Neuroscience Network Programme, Evolve Ltd, Narrative Structures and the President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society.