Weichold, Martin (2016) Mastering Sociocultural Contingencies On Extending the Sensorimotor Theory to the Domain of Culture. JOURNAL OF CONSCIOUSNESS STUDIES, 23 (5-6). pp. 203-227. ISSN 1355-8250,
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
The sensorimotor theory promises a fresh explanation of phenomenal consciousness, for instance of the feeling of experiencing redness (O 'Regan and Noe, 2001; O 'Regan, 2011). But can it also be extended to explaining aspects of phenomenal consciousness which are only possible thanks to culture, thanks to our embeddedness in social practices? In this paper, I argue that the sensorimotor theory is in need of such an extension, and I make a proposal for how this might be accomplished. I concentrate on one example of culturally shaped experiences, namely on feeling socially shaped emotions, and in particular moral emotions, such as resentment, guilt, forgiving someone, etc. (cf. Strawson, 1962). My main suggestion is this: in our case of enculturated humans, our implicit knowledge of sensorimotor contingencies is informed by, and transformed by, sociocultural practices. There are, I suggest, 'sociocultural contingencies', the mastery of which can contribute to one's phenomenal consciousness. For example, in order to have the experience of feeling resentment or guilt, one has (at least paradigmatically) to engage in an actual fight and make use of one's sociocultural skills of blaming someone or of justifying oneself.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | ; |
| Subjects: | 100 Philosophy & psychology > 100 Philosophy |
| Divisions: | Philosophy, Art History, History, and Humanities > Institut für Philosophie |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Gernot Deinzer |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Mar 2019 09:54 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Mar 2019 09:54 |
| URI: | https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/2973 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
