Damasio’s Concept of Homeostasis as a Useful Discourse for Human Wellbeing

Abstract

The paper discusses Damasio’s homeostasis theory and its potential connection to design. It starts with the evolution of physiological regulation from the Hippocratic theory of body humours through Claude Bernard’s milieu intérieur, Walter Cannon’s formulation of the concept of homeostasis, culminating with Damasio’s homeostasis theory emphasising conscious homeostatic feelings, besides the unconscious mechanisms of physiological control. Next, it shows the importance of Damasio’s homeostasis theory in perception, consciousness, as well as affect and wellbeing, and how it can inform the design discourse, specifically regarding emotions, embodiment, and environment. It poses questions such as whether design could be viewed as an extension of ourselves, acting as a psychic stabiliser or destabiliser. It argues that how we feel may eventually serve as a homeostatic design guide and that knowledge of homeostasis may improve wellbeing and the built environment.