Subjectivity Lab

Uncovering Subjectivity—
Understanding What Makes Us Who We Are

What makes us who we are? Subjectivity shapes how we experience the world, pursue our goals, and find meaning in our lives. At our lab, we explore the foundations of subjectivity by combining philosophy, motor control theory, and robotics. Our goal is to understand how we engage with ourselves and the world in meaningful ways.

We see subjectivity as the dynamic interaction of our biology, cognition, and actions. Unlike machines, we do not simply respond to inputs—we act with purpose, adapting to situations in ways that cannot always be predicted. Our ability to interact with the world in an intentional and flexible way defines our subjectivity.

A key aspect of subjectivity is what we call subjective efficacy—the capacity to act on the world according to our intentions. Our bodies are not just physical structures; they are the instruments through which we shape our surroundings and build relationships. This ability to influence our environment is central to how we experience being agents in the world.

Our research focuses on understanding subjective efficacy. We integrate insights from transcendental and phenomenological philosophy with experimental approaches from motor control, psychology, and robotics. Since subjectivity underlies all action and cognition, we investigate its role across various domains, from neuromuscular coordination to perception-action coupling and conscious decision-making.

Our mission is to develop a deeper, embodied understanding of subjectivity—helping people realize their potential as intentional agents and enhancing our knowledge of how we navigate the world.