Pre-reflection in Butt and Damasio

Pre-reflectivity is to Butt what emotions are in some way to Damasio. Damasio argued that emotions a body reaction to external or internal stimuli. They occur before the mind reflects of the stimuli present and can evaluate, or reflect on the stimuli. Butt similarly argues in this quote that our connection, our immediate assessment of others, out 'gut instincts' when we meet people, happen prior to the mind being able to perform the complex operations required of reflection. They come from the body, before you 'make up your mind' about that connection, in the same way that emotions precede feelings.