Attention and seeing objects: The identity-crowding debate

Philosophical Psychology 29 (5):743-758 (2016)
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Abstract

Can unattended objects by seen? Ned Block has claimed they can on the basis of “identity-crowding.” This paper summarizes the ensuing debate with particular emphasis on the role of unconscious perception. Although unconscious perception plays an important role, it cannot support conscious object-seeing in identity-crowding. Nevertheless, unconscious perception assists in making successful judgments about unseen objects. Further, compelling conceptual evidence against seeing unattended objects places the burden of proof on Block. I argue that countability is necessary for seeing objects and sufficient for attention to them; thus, no unattended objects are seen.

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Bradley Richards
Toronto Metropolitan University

Citations of this work

Redundancy masking and the identity crowding debate.Henry Taylor & Bilge Sayim - 2020 - Thought: A Journal of Philosophy 9 (4):257-265.
Visual indeterminacy.Michael Tye - forthcoming - Analytic Philosophy.

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References found in this work

Origins of Objectivity.Tyler Burge - 2010 - Oxford, GB: Oxford University Press.
Perceptual consciousness overflows cognitive access.Ned Block - 2011 - Trends in Cognitive Sciences 15 (12):567-575.
Why visual attention and awareness are different.Victor A. F. Lamme - 2003 - Trends in Cognitive Sciences 7 (1):12-18.
Rich conscious perception outside focal attention.Ned Block - 2014 - Trends in Cognitive Sciences 18 (9):445-447.

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