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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Creating Virtual-hand and Virtual-face Illusions to Investigate Self-representation
Published on: March 1, 2017
Simulation, projection and empathy
1Center for Subjectivity Research, Department of Media, Cognition and Communication, University of Copenhagen, Njalsgade 140-142, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark. dza@hum.ku.dk
Abstract:
Simulationists have recently started to employ the term "empathy" when characterizing our most basic understanding of other minds. I agree that empathy is crucial, but I think it is being misconstrued by the simulationists. Using some ideas to be found in Scheler's classical discussion of empathy, I will argue for a different understanding of the notion. More specifically, I will argue that there are basic levels of interpersonal understanding-in particular the understanding of emotional expressions-that are not explicable in terms of simulation-plus-projection routines.
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