7 - MONITORING
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 July 2009
Summary
Some higher order theories model their higher order representations on perception rather than thought. For these theories, the relation between higher order and lower order states is naturally described by the equivalent terms “monitoring” and “scanning”. Theories of this kind have some distinctive features, but share with HOT theories both a two-layered structure and a corresponding interest in sensory representations that are not conscious just by themselves.
ARMSTRONG'S DRIVERS
Armstrong (1968) mentions a case that is frequently referred to in discussions of consciousness.
This is something that can happen when one is driving very long distances in monotonous conditions. One can ‘come to’ at some point and realize that one has driven many miles without consciousness of the driving, or, perhaps, anything else. One has kept the car on the road, changed gears, even, or used the brake, but all in a state of ‘automatism’.
(Armstrong, 1968, p. 93)I shall refer to the part of such cases before one has “come to” as “autopilot cases” or as “being on autopilot”. These terms are intended as handy mnemonic labels and are stipulated to lack any theoretical content.
It would be very contentious to suppose that people on autopilot are not conscious of anything at all. I will, however, not be concerned with thoughts or perceptions that are extraneous to the driving. It will be interesting enough, and difficult enough, to consider just the perceptions of the road.
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- Understanding Phenomenal Consciousness , pp. 107 - 129Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2004