Quality-space theory (QST) explains the nature of the mental qualities distinctive of perceptual states by appeal to their role in perceiving. QST is typically described in terms of the mental qualities that pertain to color. Here we apply QST to the olfactory modalities. Olfaction is in various respects more complex than vision, and so provides a useful test case for QST. To determine whether QST can deal with the challenges olfaction presents, we show how a quality space (QS) could be (...) constructed relying on olfactory perceptible properties and the olfactory mental qualities then defined by appeal to that QS of olfactory perceptible properties. We also consider how to delimit the olfactory QS from other modalities. We further apply QST to the role that experience plays in refining our olfactory discriminative abilities and the occurrence of olfactory mental qualities in non-conscious olfactory states. QST is shown to be fully applicable to and useful for understanding the complex domain of olfaction. (shrink)

This book reconsiders the major current topics in the philosophy of perception using olfaction as the paradigm sense. The author reveals how many of the most basic concepts of philosophy of perception are based on peculiarities of visual perception not found in other modalities, and addresses how different the philosophy of perception would be if based on olfaction. The book addresses several aspects of olfaction, including perceptual qualities, percepts, olfaction and cognitive processes, and consciousness. The first part of the book (...) considers perception with respect to its ability to guide behaviors and to make information available to cognitive processes. The author continues by addressing the differences between conscious and non-conscious olfactory perception, and presents an argument for an important role of attention in conscious processes. The book concludes by discussing the function of conscious brain processes and their link to guiding behaviors in complex situations. (shrink)

Although vision is the de facto model system of consciousness research, studying olfactory consciousness has its own advantages, as this collection of articles emphatically demonstrates. One advantage of olfaction is its computational and phenomenological simplicity, which facilitates the identification of basic principles. Other researchers study olfactory consciousness not because of its simplicity, but because of its unique features. Together, olfaction's simplicity and its distinctiveness make it an ideal system for testing theories of consciousness. In this research topic, the results of (...) recent research into olfactory consciousness are presented. (shrink)

Literatur ist Kommunikation! Die Frühe Neuzeit als Epoche des Übergangs zwischen Mittelalter und Moderne ist gekennzeichnet durch umfassende Veränderungen. Doch welchen Stellenwert hat dabei die Literatur? Der neue literaturwissenschaftliche Epochenband bietet eine so fundierte wie spannende Einführung in die Frühe Neuzeit, in der Literatur vor allem eines war: ein offenes Kommunikationssystem. Die unmittelbare Begegnung mit der Epoche: Umgang mit Originalen, Verstehen und Missverstehen frühneuzeitlicher Dokumente Der vermittelte Zugang zur Epoche: Epochenbegriff und Epochengrenzen, Forschungs- und Wirkungsgeschichte Der frühneuzeitliche Literaturbegriff: Text und (...) Intertextualität, Rhetorik und Schreibpraxis, Autor und Medien, Gattungen und Formdiskurse "Ars hermeneutica" in der konkreten Textanalyse: Wissenstransfer, Religiosität, Subjekt und Individualität, Herrschaftsdiskurs, Raum- und Zeiterfahrung, Naturbegriff Pressestimmen: "In seiner Abhandlung bietet Andreas Keller ein breites Spektrum unterschiedlicher Aspekte zu Literaturproduktion und Diskurstraditionen in der Frühen Neuzeit, die durch das Leitmotiv einer rhetorischen Interpretation geeint werden. [...] Die gesamte Aufbereitung des Textes ist auf den hochschuldidaktischen Verwendungszweck zugeschnitten. [...] Die Stärke der Studie liegt in ihrem literaturgeschichtlichen Gesamtkonzept [...]. Hervorzuheben ist, dass die Studierenden mit dem rhetorischen Grundwissen einen hermeneutischen Schlüssel für eigene Textanalysen erhalten." Regina Toepfer in: H-Soz-u-Kult, 18. Juni 2009 "Der Band präsentiert sich in jeder Hinsicht erfreulich. Er ist auf dem neuesten Stand der Forschung, präsentiert die Einzelaspekte der Epoche pointiert und dennoch nie vereinfachend oder banal, er führt die notwendigen philosophischen Grundlagen ebenso vor wie einzelne, beispielhafte Ergebnisse von Spezialuntersuchungen, er ist nicht zuletzt stilistisch glänzend formuliert - offenbar also kein 'Schnellschuss', sondern ein Ergebnis langer, sorgfältiger Arbeit. Insofern ist dem Band auch zu wünschen, dass er unter Studierenden, die sich mit der Frühen Neuzeit auseinandersetzen, die größtmögliche Verbreitung findet. Ein Konkurrenzprodukt, das auch nur annähernd die Qualität dieser Darstellung erreichen würde, ist jedenfalls derzeit nicht auf dem Buchmarkt erhältlich, auch nicht für Teilepochen wie das Barock." Prof. Dr. Ralf Georg Bogner in: KulturPoetik, Band 9,2 Kommentare zum Buch: "Ein richtiger Ansatz beim 'Rhetorischen', eine sehr gute Auswahl der Themen, gut balanciert und portioniert, eine hervorragende Auswahl der empfohlenen Sekundärliteratur, gut und sehr klar geschrieben. Kurzum: ein rundum gelungener Band." Prof. Dr. Martin Mulsow, Lehrstuhl für Wissenskulturen der europäischen Neuzeit und Direktor des Forschungszentrums Gotha der Universität Erfurt Schloss Friedenstein "Das Studienbuch stellt auch für den germanistischen Sprachhistoriker eine Fülle von interessanten, gut systematisierten Inhalten bereit." Prof. Dr. Jürgen Macha, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster. (shrink)

Our sense of smell pervasively influences our most common behaviors and daily experience, yet little is known about olfactory consciousness. Over the past decade and a half research in both the fields of Consciousness Studies and Olfaction has blossomed, however, olfactory consciousness has received little to no attention. The olfactory systems unique anatomy, functional organization, sensory processes, and perceptual experiences offers a fecund area for exploring all aspects of consciousness, as well as a external perspective for re-examining the assumptions of (...) contemporary theories of consciousness. It has even been suggested that the olfactory system may represent the minimal neuroanatomy that is required for conscious processing. Here, we seek contributions that should serve as the foundation for future research concerning consciousness using olfaction as a model. -/- Given the variegated nature of research on consciousness, we seek original papers including review articles, original research, and theoretical contributions concerning the nature of olfactory consciousness. The scope of the special edition widely incorporates olfaction as it relates to Consciousness, Awareness, Attention, Phenomenal- or Access-Consciousness, and Qualia. Research concerning olfaction and cross-modal integration as it relates to conscious experience is also welcome. -/- As the initial foray into this uncharted area of research, we welcome contributions from across all disciplines contributing to cognitive neuroscience, including neurobiology, neurology, psychology, philosophy, linguistics, and computer sciences. It is our hope that this special edition will serve as the impetus for future interdisciplinary research on olfaction and consciousness. (shrink)

Theoretical Perspective on Smell is the first collection of scholarly articles to be devoted exclusively to philosophical research on olfaction. The essays, published here for the first time, bring together leading theorists working on smell in a format that allows for deep engagement with the emerging field, while also providing those new to the philosophy of smell with a resource to begin their journey. The volume’s 14 chapters are organized into four parts: -/- I. The Importance and Beauty of Smell (...) II. Smell in Time and Space III. What We Perceive through Smell IV. Smell and Other Senses -/- The collection solidifies the area as an important emerging branch of perceptual philosophy by presenting the cutting edge research being done by innovative early career researchers, as well as by those more senior and established within the field. -/- Table of Contents 1. Introduction Andreas Keller and Benjamin Young -/- Part I: The Importance and Beauty of Smell -/- 2. The Role of Smell in Consciousness Barry C. Smith -/- 3. The metacognitive gap: Why we both trust and mistrust our sense of smell Ophelia Deroy -/- 4. Perfumes and the Aesthetic Appreciation of Nature Chiara Brozzo -/- 5. Aesthetics, Olfaction, & Environment Michael Aaron Lindquist -/- Part II: Smell in Time and Space -/- 6. Smell and the Space Between Us Clare Batty -/- 7. The Temporal Structure of Olfactory Experience Keith A. Wilson -/- Part III: What We Perceive through Smell -/- 8. How Biology Perceives Chemistry: A Causal Analysis of the Stimulus in Olfaction and its Implications for Scientific and Philosophical Theorizing Ann-Sophie Barwich -/- 9. The Accuracy Conditions of Olfactory Perception Andreas Keller -/- 10. Maybe We Don't Smell Molecular Structure Benjamin D. Young -/- 11. Stuff & Nonsense: Against Mizrahi on Olfaction Harry Sherwood -/- 12. The Layering of Smell William G. Lycan -/- Part IV: Smell and the Other Senses -/- 13. From Odors to Flavors: Perceptual organization in the chemical senses Becky Millar -/- 14. Seeing and hearing flavors Błażej Skrzypulec -/- 15. Smelling Gustatory Qualities Louise Richardson. (shrink)