Seminar: The Neurophilosophy of Anxiety and its Effect on Learning

On November 16, 2024, Mr. Mehdi Mafakheri, Head of the Nursing department at CUE delivered a seminar about the neurophilosophy of anxiety and its effects on learning. The seminar discussed several points, highlighting that anxiety is one of the common mental disorders which affects individuals’ daily life. Mr. Mehdi emphasized: “studies showed 60 to 70% of university students experience mild to severe anxiety, some are diagnosed and some are not diagnosed with”. Moreover, neurophilosophy of anxiety explores how anxiety, as a complex mental state, influences cognitive processes like learning from both a neuroscientific and philosophical perspective. Furthermore, he also highlighted the specific meaning of anxiety; as it is not just a psychological experience; rather it is deeply rooted in brain structures and neurochemical activities. Understanding how anxiety impacts learning requires examining both the brain’s mechanisms and the philosophical implications of fear and uncertainty on human behavior.