Barbara Gail Montero

Proprioception is the sense by which we acquire information about the positions and movements of our own bodies, via receptors in the joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and skin. Sometimes referred to as our "secret sixth sense," it is a relatively unexplored area of research among both philosophers and neuroscientists. This project provides an account of proprioception and illustrates its relevance to both the performance of highly skilled actions and our perception of such actions by others. In particular, it illustrates the importance of conscious proprioception in the performance and appreciation of skilled movements, such as those performed by dancers, other artists, and athletes.