Simulation and mirror neurons. Evidence in humans and monkeys

Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject Philosophy - Theoretical (Realisation, Science, Logic, Language), grade: 1,7, University of Dusseldorf 'Heinrich Heine' (Institut für Philosophie), course: Philosophy of Neuroscience, language: English, abstract: In the last years there has been evidence for a special class of neurons. These so-called mirror neurons are located in the premotor cortex of monkeys and equally show activity during the performance and the observation of particular actions. Some authors interpret this function as the neural correlate of mind-reading, the ability to attribute mental states to others. Furthermore this interpretation is valued as support to a particular theory of mind theory; simulation theory, which claims that we understand the inten-tions, beliefs and emotions of others by simulating their mental processes on the basis of our own. In this paper I will review evidence for mirror neurons being the neural correlate of mind-reading. To accomplish this I will also review evidence for mirror neurons in monkeys and humans and give a short outline of simulation theory.