Development of ideas about tactile interaction: from Aristotle to the present day

This article explores the evolution of concepts related to tactile interaction as a fundamental element of human embodiment, perception, and communication. It investigates how touch has been interpreted across historical periods—from a basic physiological function to a complex process deeply embedded in emotional regulation, personal identity, and social integration. The analysis incorporates philosophical perspectives on bodily experience, psychological theories that examine the role of tactile stimuli in human development, and recent neuroscientific findings on the functioning of sensory systems involved in touch. Emphasis is placed on the transformative nature of tactile contact in building a sense of safety, empathy, and interpersonal trust. The study addresses how cultural practices and social norms shape tactile behavior and how the reduction of physical contact in the digital era affects human interaction. As communication increasingly occurs in virtual environments, the loss of real touch raises critical concerns about emotional isolation and sensory deprivation. The article underscores the necessity of preserving embodied experience and rethinking the function of tactile interactions in education, therapy, and everyday social life. The shift toward digital and technologically mediated relationships makes the human body more abstract and potentially disconnected from authentic sensory feedback. Through an interdisciplinary lens combining philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, and cultural studies, the article argues for the ongoing relevance of tactile engagement in maintaining psychological well-being and fostering meaningful human connection. The conclusion is made about the need to preserve bodily experience as an important factor in emotional and social regulation in changing technological conditions.

tactile interaction, corporeality, touch, philosophy, psychology, phenomenology, attachment theory