A lexicon of attention: from cognitive science to phenomenology

Abstract:

This article tries to create a bridge of understanding between cognitive scientists and phenomenologists who work on attention. In light of a phenomenology of attention and current psychological and neuropsychological literature on attention, I translate and interpret into phenomenological terms 20 key cognitive science concepts as examined in the laboratory and used in leading journals. As a preface to the lexicon, I outline a phenomenology of attention, especially as a dynamic three-part structure, which I have freely amended from the work of phenomenologist and Gestalt philosopher Aron Gurwitsch (1901–1973). As a conclusion, I discuss the nature of subjectivity in attention and attention research, and whether attention might be the same as consciousness.

Keywords: attention; consciousness; Gurwitsch; margin; thematic context; theme

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Philosophy, Seattle University, Seattle, WA 98122, USA E-mail: arvidson@seattleu.edu