Author:
Giesecke, Gerald L
Category:
Research Papers
Sub-Category:
Mind and Consciousness
Date Published:
December 27, 2023
Keywords:
Imperative theory of pain, Ownership, Self-awareness, Immediate self, Self-concept, Priority interruptions, Input-controlled feedback-control, Phylogenetic appearance of ownership
Abstract:
The paper argues eight points related to self-awareness. First, priority interruptions are a good metaphor for the way attention works in pain and volition. Second, imperatives allow us to escape a metaphysical problem encountered in traditional accounts of pain and pleasure. Third, imperatives (as broadly construed) play roles in other areas, such as emotion and volition. Fourth, a sense of self (or an immediate or pre-reflective self) is enhanced by emotional and volitional control states, as well as by ownership. Fifth, the immediate self has both conscious and unconscious elements. Sixth, an immediate self is different than a self-concept, but is normally co-present with it. Seventh, ownership fits well with the theory that consciousness is an inputcontrolled feedback-control process. And eighth, ownership may have arisen phylogenetically at about the same time as consciousness and voluntary movement. The paper tries to show how these observations mesh with each other and with other aspects of self-awareness.
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