Single Idea 6646

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 7. Blindsight]

Full Idea

Some physiologists maintain that the human brain is equipped with two different visual systems, an older one and a more recently evolved one, only the first of which is intact in blindsight subjects.

Gist of Idea

The brain may have two systems for vision, with only the older one intact in blindsight

Source

E.J. Lowe (Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind [2000], Ch. 6)

Book Reference

Lowe,E.J.: 'Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind' [CUP 2000], p.157


A Reaction

Ramachandran (on TV) suggested that lizards lack the newer system, and therefore may not actually be conscious. The proposal of two systems seems to make nice sense of an odd phenomenon. We clearly have a non-conscious route to visual information.