Brain waves and bridges: Comments on Hardcastle's ''Discovering the moment of consciousness?''

Journal/Book: Philos Psychol. 1996; 9: PO Box 25, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England OX14 3UE. Carfax Publ Co. 197-209.

Abstract: In this comment, a picture of ERP research is sketched that is slightly different from Hardcastle's account, in that it emphasises the functional characterisation of ERP components rather than the neurophysiological connections. It is suggested that selection pressure of ERP work on cognitive and neurophysiological theories and vice versa is a more apt metaphor for intertheoretical relations in this field than explanatory extension. Secondly, it is argued that the temporal characteristics of ERP components do not support Hardcastle's claim that they may be used to fix timing in phenomenal consciousness. Although I agree that ERP components, cautiously interpreted, can contribute to the identification of substages of information processing, rather than refuting Dennett and Kinsbourne, her ERP data seem compatible with a multiple drafts model.

Note: Article HL Dejong, Free Univ Amsterdam, Dept Psychol, de Boelelaan 1111, NL-1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands

Keyword(s): INFORMATION; ATTENTION

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