Situating the self

understanding the effects of deep brain stimulation

Roy Dings

Leon de Bruin

pp. 151-165

in: Phenomenology and the cognitive sciences 15 (2), 2016.

Abstract

The article proposes a theoretical model to account for changes in self due to Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). First, we argue that most existing models postulate a very narrow conception of self, and thus fail to capture the full range of potentially relevant DBS-induced changes. Second, building on previous work by Shaun Gallagher, we propose a modified "pattern-theory of self', which provides a richer picture of the possible consequences of DBS treatment.