Consciousness and Commissurotomy
Philosophy April 1, 1978 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1017/s0031819100016545
Summary
Commissurotomy, or split-brain surgery, has led some philosophers to argue that it divides consciousness and the mind, challenging the ordinary concept of a person. This paper assesses that threat and argues it is overestimated. The argument begins in section III; section II, describing the operation and its effects, can be skipped by those already familiar with the facts.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | The threat that commissurotomy poses to the ordinary concept of a person is overestimated. |
Abstract
Commissurotomy surgery has lately attracted considerable philosophical attention. It has seemed to some that the surgical scalpel that bisects the brain bisects consciousness and the mind as well; and that the ordinary concept of a person is thereby most seriously threatened. I shall assess the extent of the threat, arguing that it is overestimated. The argument begins with section III; section II, which describes the operation and its effects, should be omitted by those already familiar with these facts.