Defending subjective inflation: an inference to the best explanation. Issue 1 (12th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Knotts, J D; Michel, Matthias; Odegaard, Brian
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience of consciousness. Issue 1(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12-12
• Subjects: consciousness -- richness of visual experience -- subjective inflation -- perceptual confidence -- filling-in -- signal detection theory; Consciousness -- Periodicals; Consciousness -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; 612.823
• DOI: 10.1093/nc/niaa025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2057-2107

Abstract

Abstract: In a recent opinion piece, Abid (2019) criticizes the hypothesis that subjective inflation may partly account for apparent phenomenological richness across the visual field and outside the focus of attention. In response, we address three main issues. First, we maintain that inflation should be interpreted as an intraperceptual—and not post-perceptual—phenomenon. Second, we describe how inflation may differ from filling-in. Finally, we contend that, in general, there is sufficient evidence to tip the scales toward intraperceptual interpretations of visibility and confidence judgments.