Abstract
This chapter discusses evidence from single unit recordings in monkeys and brain imaging in humans suggesting that neural mechanisms of mirroring allow the sharing of mental states between individuals. Such sharing solves the old philosophical problem of other minds. Correlations between mirroring and empathy also suggest that relatively simple neurobiological mechanisms of mirroring maybe at the basis of a secular morality which is built upon biological predispositions we have inherited from our evolutionary ancestors.
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Acknowledgments
For generous support the author wish to thank the Brain Mapping Medical Research Organization, Brain Mapping Support Foundation, Pierson-Lovelace Foundation, The Ahmanson Foundation, William M. and Linda R. Dietel Philanthropic Fund at the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, Tamkin Foundation, Jennifer Jones-Simon Foundation, Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation, Robson Family and Northstar Fund.
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Iacoboni, M. (2008). The Problem of Other Minds Is Not a Problem: Mirror Neurons and Intersubjectivity. In: Pineda, J.A. (eds) Mirror Neuron Systems. Contemporary Neuroscience. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-479-7_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-479-7_6
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