Contents

Vol. 13, No. 6, May 2006

Editorial

Anthony Freeman
Joseph Goguen: Editor JCS 1994–2006  Full Text

Refereed Papers

Riccardo Manzotti
A Process Oriented View of Conscious Perception  abstract
Steven Brown
The Perpetual Music Track: The Phenomenon of Constant Musical Imagery  abstract

Continuing Debate

Glenn Hartelius

All that Glisters is not Gold: Heterophenomenology and Transpersonal Theory  abstract

Conference Report

Claude Pasquini
A (Mostly) Sunny and Sober Anniversary: Diary of the ASSC10 Conference, June 2006  Full Text

 

Book Reviews

Shannon Valor
Susan Blackmore, Conversations on Consciousness
David Skrbina
Teed Rockwell, Neither Brain nor Ghost
Daniel Simmons
David Skrbina, Panpsychism in the West
Chris Nunn
J. Leo van Hemmen & Terrence J. Sejnowski (eds), Problems in Systems Neuroscience
E.J. Lowe
Uwe Meixner, The Two Sides of Being
Gray Hardcastle
Antti Revonsuo, Inner Presence Valerie
John Dance
Nicholas Georgalis, The Primacy of the Subjective
Chris Nunn
Nicholas Humphrey, Seeing Red: A Study in Consciousness
 

ABSTRACT

Riccardo Manzotti

A Process Oriented View of Conscious Perception

Abstract: I present a view of conscious perception that supposes a processual unity between the activity in the brain and the perceived event in the external world. I use the rainbow to provide a first example, and subsequently extend the same rationale to more complex examples such as perception of objects, faces and movements. I use a process-based approach as an explanation of ordinary perception and other variants, such as illusions, memory, dreams and mental imagery. This approach provides new insights into the problem of conscious representation and phenomenal consciousness. It is a form of anti-cranialism different from but related to other kinds of externalism.

Correspondence: Riccardo Manzotti, KTEL, Institute of Human and Environmental Sciences, IULM, Via Carlo Bo, 1, 20143, Milan, Italy. Email: riccardo.manzotti@iulm.it

ABSTRACT

Steven Brown

The Perpetual Music Track: The Phenomenon of Constant Musical Imagery

Abstract: The perpetual music track is a new concept that describes a condition of constant or near-constant musical imagery. This condition appears to be very rare even among composers and musicians. I present here a detailed self-analysis of musical imagery for the purpose of defining the psychological features of a perpetual music track. I have music running through my head almost constantly during waking hours, consisting of a combination of recently-heard pieces and distant pieces that spontaneously pop into the head. Imagery consists mainly of short musical fragments that get looped repeatedly upon themselves. Corporeal manifestations of imagery occur in the form of unconscious finger movements whose patterns correspond to the melodic contour of the imagined piece. Musical dreams occur every week or two, and contain a combination of familiar and originally- composed music. These results are discussed in light of theories of imagery, consciousness, hallucination, obsessive cognition, and most especially the notion that acoustic consciousness can be split into multiple parallel streams.

Correspondence: Steven Brown, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Robert C. Brown Hall, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby BC, Canada V5A 1S6. Email: s_brown@sfu.ca

ABSTRACT
Glenn Hartelius

All that Glisters is not Gold: Heterophenomenology and Transpersonal Theory

Abstract: Anthony Freeman (2006) proposes that Dennett’s heterophenomenology (HP) be fully integrated into transpersonal studies as a solution to the ‘subtle Cartesianism’ that Jorge Ferrer (2002) detects within the field. Methods virtually indistinguishable from HP are already in use within transpersonal research, so the issue of comparison lies deeper. On close analysis, Ferrer’s approach cannot be situated within Dennett’s (2003) data levels at all, for participatory transpersonalism conceives a profoundly different relationship between conscious subject and the world: a relational matrix of interacting subjects participating in the co-creation of the cosmos. HP, while valuable, is not adequate for a comprehensive study of consciousness. Its shortcomings can be illustrated by imagining an analogical discipline in the natural sciences: heterobotany. Limiting transpersonal inquiry to HP would represent a step backwards in the ongoing process of pioneering effective methods of consciousness research.

Correspondence: Glenn Hartelius, 5275 Thomas Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472, USA. Email: payattention1@mac.com

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