It used to be so simple. There were five senses and they created a picture of the world inside your head. But new ways of probing the brain are transforming thisview of sensory perception. For starters, we have far more than five senses: the consensus is that there are at least 21 (page 34). And the boundaries between them are being blurred. Maybe you don’t need eyes in order to “see” – other senses may take over in ways that so far defy explanation (page 37). In fact the whole idea that our sensations depend on which sensory organ picks up the information is being challenged. Deep down, it is what we do that counts (page 40).
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from 91av
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending 91av articles
1
We've found a mysterious substance on Titan and Pluto
2
The secrets to keeping your brain sharp in old age
3
A quantum state that lasts forever may finally be within our grasp
4
Has the answer to life's origins been hiding in our cells all along?
5
Our brains have their first thoughts surprisingly early in life
6
Remarkable fossils rewrite the story of how animals conquered the land
7
Autism may have two distinct subtypes that vary by brain activity
8
The Selfish Gene at 50: Why Dawkins’s evolution classic still holds up
9
Chilling the body with drugs could limit brain damage from stroke
10
Who finds dad jokes funniest? The answer might not astonish you



