Mirroring, mindreading and smart behaviour-reading

Borg, E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2725-9568 (2017) Mirroring, mindreading and smart behaviour-reading. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 24 (5-6). pp. 24-49. ISSN 1355-8250

Abstract/Summary

This paper examines the claim that mirror neuron activity is the mechanism by which we come to know about the action-related intentions of others (e.g. Gallese et al 1996, Rizzolatti et al 2009), i.e. that they are a mechanism for ‘mindreading’. I agree with recent authors (e.g. Hickok 2008, Jacob 2008) who reject this view but nevertheless I argue that mirror neurons may still have a role to play in the ways in which we understand one another (social cognition). If we adopt a certain kind of pluralism about social cognition then the mirror neuron system could play a role in social cognition even if it provides no access to the minds of others at all. I argue for this view and consider what the approach might entail for the ontology of the mirror neuron system.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/67081
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary Research Centres (IDRCs) > Centre for Cognition Research (CCR) Arts, Humanities and Social Science > School of Humanities > Philosophy
Publisher	Imprint Academic
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