ABSTRACT
Through.introspection,.we.feel.that.we.have.direct.knowledge.of.the.causes.and.goals.of.our.own. actions.(cf..Nisbett.&.Wilson,.1977);.understanding.someone.else’s.action.seems.by.contrast.like.a. highly.abstract-if.not.semimiraculous.entertainment-education-achievement..Simulation.theories. offer.a.demystification.of.the.process:.Knowledge.of.others.is.parasitic.on.our.direct.access.to.ourselves.(Gallese,.Keysers,.&.Rizzolatti,.2004;.Rizzolatti,.Fogassi,.&.Gallese,.2001)..An.observer.can. understand.someone.else’s.action.using.the.same.cognitive.and.neural.mechanisms.that.he.or.she. uses.to.produce.his.or.her.own-that.is,.by.running.his.or.her.action.execution.system.in.a.“simulation”.mode.(Nichols.&.Stich,.2003).
