Pain, perception and the sensory modalities: revisiting the intensive theory

Gray, Richard ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6923-6183 2014. Pain, perception and the sensory modalities: revisiting the intensive theory. Review of Philosophy and Psychology 5 , pp. 87-101. 10.1007/s13164-014-0177-4

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Abstract

Pain is commonly explained in terms of the perceptual activity of a distinct sensory modality, the function of which is to enable us to perceive actual or potential damage to the body. However, the characterization of pain experience in terms of a distinct sensory modality with such content is problematic. I argue that pain is better explained as occupying a different role in relation to perception: to indicate when the stimuli that are sensed in perceiving anything by means of a sensory modality exceed a significant level of intensity. Viewing the system underlying pain experience as an integral and functionally integrated feature of all the senses provides a new perspective on the diverse forms of pain, what it is like to experience pain and the contrasting natures of pain and pleasure.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	English, Communication and Philosophy
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Publisher:	Springer Verlag (Germany)
ISSN:	1878-5158
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	12 Nov 2024 16:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/59448

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