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Carruthers' marvelous magical mindreading machine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 April 2009

Charlie Lewis
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Fylde College, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YF, United Kingdomc.lewis@lancsater.ac.ukhttp://www.psych.lancs.ac.uk/people/CharlieLewis.html
Jeremy I. M. Carpendale
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canadajcarpend@sfu.cahttp://www.psyc.sfu.ca/people/faculty.php?topic=finf&id=67

Abstract

Carruthers presents an interesting analysis of confabulation and a clear attack on introspection. Yet his theory-based alternative is a mechanistic view of “mindreading” which neglects the fact that social understanding occurs within a network of social relationships. In particular, the role of language in his model is too simple.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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