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Abstract

Historically speaking, the term ‘consciousness’ appeared in relatively recent times, around the 17th century. Its etymology has Latin roots (cum/with and scio/know) that indicate the necessity to share consciousness with someone or oneself. Interestingly, the foremost philosophers of the past from Plato to Aristotle up to Saint Thomas had never felt the need for such a term, and likely attributed its characteristics to divinity [1], [2].

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© 2006 Springer-Verlag Italia

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Latronico, N. (2006). Vegetative state. In: Gullo, A. (eds) Anaesthesia, Pain, Intensive Care and Emergency A.P.I.C.E.. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/88-470-0407-1_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/88-470-0407-1_17

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-0406-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-0407-8

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