hjärtsinnes

Hjärtsinnes is a term used in Swedish-language discourse to describe the interface between emotional life and cognitive processing. It is often translated as “the heart sense” or “cardiac intuition,” and is discussed in literary, philosophical, and somatic contexts rather than as a formal scientific category.

Etymology and meaning: hjärtsinnes is a compound of hjärta (heart) and sinne (sense or mind). The concept conveys a felt, bodily form of knowing that arises from interoceptive signals—such as heartbeat, arousal, and visceral sensations—that accompany moods and judgments. In everyday use, it suggests that emotional or ethical judgments can be guided by a bodily sense as well as by rational analysis.

Usage and interpretation: in discussions of embodiment and affective life, hjärtsinnes is described as a complement to rational deliberation. It encapsulates the experience of listening to the body’s signals when making decisions, especially in situations that are emotionally salient or morally complex. As a concept, it tends to be more metaphorical than technical, serving to illuminate how body and mind interact in lived experience.

Relation to science: interoception is the scientific study of how the brain perceives internal bodily states, including cardiac signals. While interoception provides an empirical framework for understanding heart-related signals, hjärtsinnes remains primarily a folk or cultural term rather than a standardized neuroscientific category. Some scholars note that the concept highlights the subjective dimension of decision making and emotion.

See also: interoception, gut feeling, embodiment, emotional intelligence.