Abstract

You and I are watching a spider crawl across the carpet. We are both aware of the spider, andaware that both are so aware. We are jointly attending to it. This collection of essays addresses abewildering array of questions that arise regarding the notion of joint attention. How should jointattention be characterised in adults? In particular, how can we articulate the sense in which it isplausible to say that nothing is hidden from either participant in cases of joint attention? What is therelationship between joint attention and the much discussed phenomenon of common, or mutual,knowledge? What account should be given of the development of the capacity for joint attention inchildren (and in non-human primates)? At what age is it correct to say that children are engaging inepisodes of full blown joint attention? Relatedly, what is the relation between joint attention andpointing behaviour, gaze following and mutual affect regulation? Why is it that autistic childrenappear to exhibit a joint attention deficiency, and what might this tell us about autism, or about jointattention itself? Does the capacity for joint attention presuppose an understanding of the notion ofattention, or more generally a subject of experience, and if so what is the relation between thatunderstanding and the types of behaviour associated with joint attention? More generally, how doesjoint attention relate to our understanding of others? Finally, is the capacity for joint attentionpivotal for the development of linguistic communication, or perhaps even a sense of objectivity—ofthe mind independence of the world?