Somatic Intelligence: A Systemic Framework for Embodied Cognition and Adaptive Regulation

The term 'Somatic Intelligence' has been used for decades across various contexts—from body therapy to movement arts—yet often remains vague, metaphorical, or context-specific. This work develops a formal, systemically grounded definition of somatic intelligence that is biologically anchored, neurophysiologically plausible, and epistemologically robust. By integrating insights from neuroscience, microbiology, systems theory, and cognitive science, the body is conceptualized as an intelligent system consisting of multiple interacting subsystems capable of adaptive and partially autonomous regulation. This definition provides a foundation for further research and application in fields such as neurology, psychotherapy, embodied AI, and human development.