title: Consciousness is for sharing.
abstract: Abstract I welcome the idea that consciousness, rather than being private, has a crucial role in understanding other minds. However, I believe that the critical mechanism underlying consciousness is meta-cognition; the ability to reflect upon and report mental states, whether our own or those of others. This allows us to share experiences and create a more accurate picture of the world.
authors.affiliation: a Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging at University College London , UK.
authors.forename: Chris D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Frith