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Making sense of mirror neurons
pp. 439-456
Abstrakt
The discovery of mirror neurons has been hailed as one of the most exciting developments in neuroscience in the past few decades. These neurons discharge in response to the observation of others’ actions. But how are we to understand the function of these neurons? In this paper I defend the idea that mirror neurons are best conceived as components of a sensory system that has the function to perceive action. In short, mirror neurons are part of a hitherto unrecognized “sixth sense”. In this spirit, research should move toward developing a psychophysics of mirror neurons.
Publication details
Published in:
Aizawa Kenneth, Bickle John (2009) Neuroscience and its philosophy. Synthese 167 (3).
Seiten: 439-456
DOI: 10.1007/s11229-008-9385-8
Referenz:
Shapiro Lawrence A. (2009) „Making sense of mirror neurons“. Synthese 167 (3), 439–456.