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Single Idea 5803

[filed under theme 16. Persons / C. Self-Awareness / 1. Introspection ]

Full Idea

On a representational theory of the mind, introspection becomes an instance of displaced perception - knowledge of internal (mental) facts via an awareness of external (physical) objects.

Gist of Idea

In a representational theory of mind, introspection is displaced perception

Source

Fred Dretske (Naturalizing the Mind [1997], §2)

Book Ref

Dretske,Fred: 'Naturalizing the Mind' [MIT 1997], p.40


A Reaction

This sounds close to a behaviourist (e.g. Ryle) account of introspection, via observing one's own behaviour. The word 'displaced' is an easy one, concealing a multitude of questions.


The 10 ideas from 'Naturalizing the Mind'

A mouse hearing a piano played does not believe it, because it lacks concepts and understanding [Dretske]
Representations are in the head, but their content is not, as stories don't exist in their books [Dretske]
Introspection does not involve looking inwards [Dretske]
In a representational theory of mind, introspection is displaced perception [Dretske]
A representational theory of the mind is an externalist theory of the mind [Dretske]
Belief is the power of metarepresentation [Dretske]
Introspection is the same as the experience one is introspecting [Dretske]
Qualia are just the properties objects are represented as having [Dretske]
Some activities are performed better without consciousness of them [Dretske]
All mental facts are representation, which consists of informational functions [Dretske]