Dissociations and Consciousness

Abstract

The way that dissociation methods are used in consciousness science is the topic of this chapter. Building on earlier discussions, it is suggested not only that dissociations cannot be used to establish measures of consciousness, but that the dissociation methodology and associated research heuristics go unheeded in consciousness science. The example of the distinction between ventral and dorsal streams of perception is used to illustrate the ways that dissociation methods typically generate a virtuous circle of experimentation, interpretation, and the generation of further research questions. This circle is missing from consciousness science. This provides the first strong hint that consciousness science is methodologically suspect.