Abstract
In her recent Opinion article, Saxe [ 1 Saxe R. Against simulation: the argument from error. Trends Cogn. Sci. 2005; 9: 174-179 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (224) Google Scholar ] argues that recent enthusiasm for the simulation theory (ST) of mindreading, generated by the discovery of mirror systems in the brain, is misplaced. She claims that mindreading errors are not consistent with the ‘resonance’ simulation theory embraced by mirror neurone enthusiasts, according to which mental states are understood by internally replicating them. Saxe's critique of ST assumes that simulation means mirroring. However, not all authors who appeal to mirroring or resonance (e.g. [ 2 Gallese V. et al. A unifying view of the basis of social cognition. Trends Cogn. Sci. 2004; 8: 396-403 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1460) Google Scholar , 3 Gallese V. Goldman A. Mirror neurons and the simulation theory of mind-reading. Trends Cogn. Sci. 1998; 2: 493-501 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2002) Google Scholar , 4 Goldman A. Sripada C. Simulationist models of face-based emotion recognition. Cognition. 2005; 94: 193-213 Crossref PubMed Scopus (430) Google Scholar ]) consider this to be the only kind of simulation. Saxe's interpretation seems well-grounded in the case of Gallese et al. [ 2 Gallese V. et al. A unifying view of the basis of social cognition. Trends Cogn. Sci. 2004; 8: 396-403 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1460) Google Scholar ], who propose mirror systems as the ‘unifying basis’ for all of social cognition. But Goldman and Sripada [ 4 Goldman A. Sripada C. Simulationist models of face-based emotion recognition. Cognition. 2005; 94: 193-213 Crossref PubMed Scopus (430) Google Scholar ] address only a ‘certain circumscribed mindreading task’, namely, face-based emotion attribution. They leave it open whether simulation accounts for all mindreading, and whether mirroring is the unique form of simulation.
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