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Single Idea 4918

[from 'Mapping the Mind' by Rita Carter, in 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 7. Blindsight ]

Full Idea

Scans show that a sub-section of the visual cortex called V5 - the area that registers movement - lights up during blindsight, even though V1 - the primary sensory area that is essential for normal sight - is not active.

Gist of Idea

In blindsight V1 (normal vision) is inactive, but V5 (movement) lights up

Source

Rita Carter (Mapping the Mind [1998], p.307)

Book Reference

Carter,Rita: 'Mapping the Mind' [Phoenix 2000], p.307


A Reaction

The whole point of blindsight is to make us realise that vision involves not one module, but a whole team of them. The inference is that V1 involves consciousness, but other areas of the visual cortex don't.