Technology and perception: the contribution of sensory substitutionsystems

摘要

The strong programme of research in the study and development ofcognitive technologies today is based on the hypothesis that thesetechnologies are not only technical means which enable us to enhance ourcalculating, memorising or perceptive abilities, but that they actuallyplay a key role in the constitution of human experience. The aim of thearticle is to provide this hypothesis with experimental content throughthe study of a series of very specific technical devices usuallyreferred to as “sensory substitution systems”. Afteranalysing some of the results achieved so far, we describe severalexperiments on the construction of a three dimensional perceptual spacethrough technical means. We then demonstrate the role of human action,and therefore, of the “corps propre” (the body from thepoint of view of the subject), in the process of the construction ofperception. These experiments will also enable us to discuss theconditions for conducting fundamental research in the field oftechnology, combining scientific method and phenomenological analysis.In conclusion we suggest various possible lines of future research onthis subject