Understanding synthetic experience must begin with the analysis of ordinary perceptual experience

Abstract

The emergence of teleoperation and virtual environment has greatly increased interest in synthetic experience, a mode of experience made possible by both these newer technologies and earlier ones, such as telecommunication and sensory prosthetics. The authors maintain that understanding synthetic experience must begin with the recognition that the phenomenology of synthetic experience is continuous with that of ordinary experience. They demonstrate the continuity of synthetic experience and normal perceptual experience with respect to two issues: the determination of a person's phenomenal location in space and the experience of being in touch with near and remote objects.<>