Title

Direct perception in the intersubjective context

Authors

Authors

S. Gallagher

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Conscious. Cogn.

Keywords

direct perception; theory theory; simulation theory; mirror neurons; social cognition; MIRROR NEURON SYSTEM; SOCIAL-PERCEPTION; PREMOTOR CORTEX; SIMULATION; RECOGNITION; INFANTS; OTHERS; INTENTIONS; EMOTION; MIND; Psychology, Experimental

Abstract

This paper, in opposition to the standard theories of social cognition found in psychology and cognitive science, defends the idea that direct perception plays an important role in social cognition. The two dominant theories, theory theory (TT) and simulation theory (ST), both posit something more than a perceptual element as necessary for our ability to understand others, i.e., to "mindread" or "mentalize." In contrast, certain phenomenological approaches depend heavily on the concept of perception and the idea that we have a direct perceptual grasp of the other person's intentions, feelings, etc. This paper explains precisely what the notion of direct perception means, offers evidence from developmental studies, and proposes a non-simulationist interpretation of the neuroscience of mirror systems. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Journal Title

Consciousness and Cognition

Volume

17

Issue/Number

2

Publication Date

1-1-2008

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Language

English

First Page

535

Last Page

543

WOS Identifier

WOS:000256490100014

ISSN

1053-8100

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