Peripersonal space as the haptic field
Synthese January 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s11229-025-05430-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Haptic technology Space punctuation Field mathematics Focus optics Modalities Philosophy of science Philosophy of language Human–computer interaction Epistemology Haptic perception Cognitive science Artificial intelligence Perceptual system Computer vision |
| Key points | Argues that peripersonal space functions as the external spatial field of haptic touch. |
Abstract
Abstract A topic of interest in the philosophy of perception concerns similarities and differences between the senses. One way of approaching this issue is to focus on structural differences. An interesting question in this respect concerns whether, and in what respect, perceptual modalities other than vision might possess a spatial field which is in some respects similar to the visual field. This paper argues that haptic touch is structured by an external spatial field, namely peripersonal space. I first provide a clarification of the general characteristics of an external spatial field. The paper then outlines the notion of peripersonal space. Finally, I argue that peripersonal space functions as the external spatial field of haptic touch insofar as it meets the necessary conditions for a spatial field.