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Let's not forget about sensory consciousness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 February 2005

Anil K. Seth*
Affiliation:
The Neurosciences Institute, San Diego, CA92121http://www.nsi.edu/users/sethhttp://www.nsi.edu/public/scientists/index.phphttp://www.nsi.edu/users/baars/
David B. Edelman*
Affiliation:
The Neurosciences Institute, San Diego, CA92121http://www.nsi.edu/users/sethhttp://www.nsi.edu/public/scientists/index.phphttp://www.nsi.edu/users/baars/
Bernard J. Baars*
Affiliation:
The Neurosciences Institute, San Diego, CA92121http://www.nsi.edu/users/sethhttp://www.nsi.edu/public/scientists/index.phphttp://www.nsi.edu/users/baars/

Abstract:

The metacognitive stance of Smith et al. (2003) risks ignoring sensory consciousness. Although Smith et al. rightly caution against the tendency to preserve the uniqueness of the human mind at all costs, their reasoned stance is undermined by a selective association of consciousness with high-level cognitive operations. Neurobiological evidence may offer a more general, and hence more inclusive, basis for the systematic study of animal consciousness.

Type
Continuing Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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Footnotes

Commentary onJ. D. Smith, W. E. Shields & D. A. Washburn (2003). The comparative psychology of uncertainty monitoring and metacognition. BBS 26(3): 317–339.

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