To be a proper non-representational theory of perception, the sensorimotor approach must be a fully non-representational theory of behaviour

摘要

The sensorimotor theory of perception claims to be nonrepresentational. However, when dealing with some aspects of perception, such as epistemic properties, the theory retains conceptual aspects that are germane to representational accounts. In order to depart definitively from representationalism, it is suggested that the sensorimotor theory must treat perception as a behavioral process first and foremost. When treated thus, one of the main questions regarding perception is that of anticipation. Forwards models, which are presently very popular, constitute representational explanantia to anticipation. A different way to explain anticipatory behavior is proposed. Based on an analogy with bodily dispositions to act such as postures, it suggested that the task of the brain might be to bring itself and the body into hierarchically nested states of readiness to action towards perceived stimuli. Perceptual knowledge consists not in prediction of sensory changes but in nonrepresentational cognitive postures.