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Consciousness, attention and commonsense

Publication ,  Journal Article
de Brigard, F
Published in: Journal of Consciousness Studies
October 22, 2010

In a recent paper, Christopher Mole (2008) argued in favour of the view that, according to our commonsense psychology, while consciousness is necessary for attention, attention isn't necessary for consciousness. In this paper I offer an argument against this view. More precisely, I offer an argument against the claim that, according to our commonsense psychology, consciousness is necessary for attention. However, I don't claim it follows from this argument that commonsense has it the other way around, viz. that consciousness isn't necessary for attention. Instead, I want to motivate the claim that there isn't such a thing as the view of commonsense psychology about the relation between attention and consciousness. I argue that people's use of these terms - and, presumably, of their corresponding concepts - seems to be context dependent. I conclude with a discussion of the possible implications of this claim for the empirical study of attention and consciousness. © Imprint Academic 2010.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Consciousness Studies

ISSN

1355-8250

Publication Date

October 22, 2010

Volume

17

Issue

9-10

Start / End Page

189 / 201

Related Subject Headings

  • Experimental Psychology
  • 5003 Philosophy
  • 2203 Philosophy
  • 1702 Cognitive Sciences
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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de Brigard, F. (2010). Consciousness, attention and commonsense. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 17(9–10), 189–201.
Brigard, F. de. “Consciousness, attention and commonsense.” Journal of Consciousness Studies 17, no. 9–10 (October 22, 2010): 189–201.
de Brigard F. Consciousness, attention and commonsense. Journal of Consciousness Studies. 2010 Oct 22;17(9–10):189–201.
de Brigard, F. “Consciousness, attention and commonsense.” Journal of Consciousness Studies, vol. 17, no. 9–10, Oct. 2010, pp. 189–201.
de Brigard F. Consciousness, attention and commonsense. Journal of Consciousness Studies. 2010 Oct 22;17(9–10):189–201.

Published In

Journal of Consciousness Studies

ISSN

1355-8250

Publication Date

October 22, 2010

Volume

17

Issue

9-10

Start / End Page

189 / 201

Related Subject Headings

  • Experimental Psychology
  • 5003 Philosophy
  • 2203 Philosophy
  • 1702 Cognitive Sciences