Introduction

Abstract

Abstract This chapter introduces key concepts of perception, cognition, concept, proposition, high-level properties, low-level properties, iconic representations, nonconceptual state, nonpropositional state, associative agnosia, apperceptive agnosia, the global broadcasting approach to consciousness, the recurrent processing view of consciousness, the distinction between perception and a minimal immediate direct perceptual judgment, core cognition, the difference between intrinsic and derived intentionality, peripheral inflation, fragile visual short-term memory, working memory, slot vs. pool models of working memory, conceptual engineering, the language of thought, and the default mode network. It explains the three-layer methodology of the book: It starts with prescientific ways of thinking of perception and cognition, using them to identify apparent indicators of perception and cognition; then considers whether the indicators depend on constitutive properties of perception and cognition or mere symptoms; and then leverages those conclusions to find the constitutive features of perception and cognition. The chapter explains how work on the neural and psychological basis of consciousness can be repurposed to isolate the psychological and neural basis of perception. The chapter ends with a consideration of consequences outside philosophy of mind of the views presented.