TY - JOUR
T1 - Against the spotlight model of consciousness
AU - Shanon, Benny
PY - 2001/4
Y1 - 2001/4
N2 - The spotlight metaphor for the characterization of consciousness is examined. It is argued that, in effect, models based on this metaphor are not explanatory. In crucial respects, the models are not informative and they can account neither for the specific qualities of human consciousness nor for its function. In the spirit of pragmatic analyses in language, it is suggested that consciousness be viewed as an act. With this, a shift is made from a selectional to a generative perspective of consciousness. The proposal is grounded in a general critique of cognitive modelling in terms of underlying mental representations.
AB - The spotlight metaphor for the characterization of consciousness is examined. It is argued that, in effect, models based on this metaphor are not explanatory. In crucial respects, the models are not informative and they can account neither for the specific qualities of human consciousness nor for its function. In the spirit of pragmatic analyses in language, it is suggested that consciousness be viewed as an act. With this, a shift is made from a selectional to a generative perspective of consciousness. The proposal is grounded in a general critique of cognitive modelling in terms of underlying mental representations.
KW - Consciousness
KW - Spotlight
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0042740487&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0732-118X(00)00019-2
DO - 10.1016/S0732-118X(00)00019-2
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AN - SCOPUS:0042740487
SN - 0732-118X
VL - 19
SP - 77
EP - 84
JO - New Ideas in Psychology
JF - New Ideas in Psychology
IS - 1
ER -