Cognition in dyschiria: Edoardo Bisiach's theory of spatial disorders and consciousness.

An overview of Bisiach's theory of mental representations and consciousness is presented. Neuropsychological observations on space disorders led Bisiach to consider analogical representations (and not only symbolic representations) as truly 'cognitive', insofar as they are necessary for the normal functioning of linguistic processes. Bisiach's approach to the scientific study of consciousness, conceived both as the private aspect of phenomenal experience and as a monitoring process, is also discussed.