"We think there are five senses and they work independently, but in fact, taste relies heavily on smell, and our sensory experience is richly interwoven.”
Barry C. Smith is a British philosopher and director of the Institute of Philosophy at the University of London’s School of Advanced Study. Co-founder of the Centre for the Study of the Senses, he bridges philosophy, neuroscience, and culinary culture to show how our sensory lives shape knowledge of mind and language.
In works such as Questions of Taste: The Philosophy of Wine and numerous essays in Nature and Food Quality and Preference, Smith reveals how flavor, smell, and touch challenge traditional boundaries between mind and matter. A frequent BBC presenter (The Mysteries of the Brain, The Uncommon Senses), he champions multisensory philosophy and public scholarship—urging us to rediscover the philosophical significance in everyday sensations.
“Smith’s work restores wonder to the senses and wisdom to the philosopher’s palate.” — Philosophy Now
