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TIME AND THE OBSERVER: THE WHERE AND WHEN OF CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE BRAIN

Dennett , Daniel and Kinsbourne, Marcel (1995) TIME AND THE OBSERVER: THE WHERE AND WHEN OF CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE BRAIN.

Short Abstract:

Two models of consciousness are contrasted with regard to their treatment of subjective timing: the standard Cartesian Theater and an alternative, the Multiple Drafts model. Four puzzling temporal phenomena that resist explanation by the standard model are analyzed: two results claimed by Libet, color phi, and the "cutaneous rabbit". The unexamined assumptions that have always made the Cartesian Theater model so attractive are exposed and dismantled. The Multiple Drafts model provides a better account of the puzzling phenomena, avoiding the scientific and metaphysical extravagances of the Cartesian Theater.

Long Abstract:

Two models of consciousness are contrasted with regard to their treatment of subjective timing: the standard Cartesian Theater and an alternative, the Multiple Drafts model. Four puzzling temporal phenomena that resist explanation by the standard model are analyzed: two results claimed by Libet, color phi, and the "cutaneous rabbit". The unexamined assumptions that have always made the Cartesian Theater model so attractive are exposed and dismantled. The Multiple Drafts model provides a better account of the puzzling phenomena, avoiding the scientific and metaphysical extravagances of the Cartesian Theater.

Keywords:	consciousness;
Subjects:	Psychology: Cognitive Psychology Neuroscience: Computational Neuroscience Psychology: Consciousness Studies Philosophy: Philosophy of Mind
ID code:	bbs00000450
Deposited by:	Daniel Dennett on 01 May 2001