The relationship between the heart and the mind will be explored at a free public event hosted by The University of Western Australia next Friday 15 December.

UWA’s visiting alumnus, Professor David Paterson, from the University of Oxford and a Fellow of Merton College, will present Heart v Mind: What makes us human? co-hosted by the UWA Public Policy Institute and the Forrest Research Foundation.

Head of the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics at Oxford, Professor Paterson will explain that the brain is not the only organ that produces emotions — the heart also contains the neurons necessary for thought.

He will discuss whether positive emotions can help heal physical problems, the relationship between happiness and health, and what makes us human.

UWA PPI Director Associate Professor Paul Maginn said the discussion would be thought-provoking.

“The human heart is practical and poetic, as well as mysterious and essential; and Professor Paterson is one of its great explorers,” Associate Professor Maginn said.

“Anyone with a beating heart and a curious mind will be fascinated.”

Professor James Arvanitakis, Director of the Forrest Research Foundation, said the Foundation was honoured to be co-hosting Professor Paterson.

“Philosophers have argued for centuries about the relationship between the body and the mind,” Professor Arvanitakis said.

“Every new perspective is an invitation to provocative thoughts and new concepts. We’re delighted to be able to invite people to join the conversation.”

The event will be moderated by Professor Livia Hool, the Wesfarmers, UWA-Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Chair in Cardiovascular Research.

“Cardiovascular research is endlessly intriguing, as well as being vital to impacting the burden of cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death,” Professor Hool said.

The event will be held on Friday 15 December, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, at Forrest Hall. For more information and to register click here.