The Sensorimotor Knowledge View
June 5, 2026 DOI: 10.1093/9780198998990.003.0006 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThis chapter examines enactivist views, particularly Alva Noë's, which hold that spatial perception is constituted by the exercise of sensorimotor skills—a position called Sensorimotor Knowledge (SMK) views. The author discusses different versions of the view and offers an ability-based interpretation of the central notion of an 'implicit grasp' of sensorimotor correlations. Two main objections are considered.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Perception Object grammar Spatial relation Action physics Relation database |
| Key finding | Argues that Sensorimotor Knowledge views, which posit a constitutive connection between sensorimotor knowledge and spatial perception, can be given an ability-based gloss, and discusses two main objections to the view. |
Abstract
Abstract This chapter considers a view of the intentional horizons of spatial perception which make the subject’s actions central. More specifically, it considers a view—strongly associated with Alva Noë and enactivism—that posits a constitutive connection between action and spatial perception, whereby spatial perception is constituted by the exercise of a range of sensorimotor skills. I call views which posit a constitutive connection between sensorimotor knowledge concerning how the perspectival appearance of an object ‘changes as you move’ and spatial perception, Sensorimotor Knowledge views (SMK views for short). The chapter discusses different iterations of the view, and provides an ability-based gloss on its central notion of an ‘implicit grasp’ of sensorimotor correlations. Two main objections are discussed.