Out on a limb: Neglect and confabulation in the study of aplasic phantoms

Abstract

This chapter discusses a phenomenon whose very existence is a matter of debate among today's neuroscientists. Phantom sensations of a limb that was never physically developed are taken as unequivocal evidence, by some researchers, for the innateness of bodily representations, while others consider such sensations the mere product of suggestible minds. This chapter reviews the history of ideas concerning 'aplasic phantoms' and attempts to show that, after a long period of neglect of the phenomenon, twenty-first century neuroscience is inclined to consider seriously the reports of some people born without an extremity. Before addressing the specific issue of aplasic phantoms, it provides a brief introduction to the nature of 'scientific facts' and the gradual integration of new observations into existing theoretical frameworks.