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Is feeling pain just mindreading? Our mind-brain constructs realistic knowledge of ourselves

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 April 2009

Bernard J. Baars
Affiliation:
The Neurosciences Institute, San Diego, CA 92121baarsbj@gmail.comhttp://bernardbaars.pbwiki.com

Abstract

Carruthers claims that “our knowledge of our own attitudes results from turning our mindreading capacities upon ourselves” (target article, Abstract). This may be true in many cases. But like other constructivist claims, it fails to explain occasions when constructed knowledge is accurate, like a well-supported scientific theory. People can know their surrounding world and to some extent themselves. Accurate self-knowledge is firmly established for both somatosensory and social pain.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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