Thread: the only five senses, or maybe not?

I was recently asked a straight forward question , "How many senses are there?" to which I quickly replied the 5 we all are taught :
ophthalmoception, audioception, gustaoception, olfacoception, and tactioception.

However I was especially challenged ( more than usual anyway!) when the asker threw in thermoception, proprioception, nociception, equilibrioception and kinesthesioception.

I did a quick check and saw there is quite some debate.

To me even if one of these is correct it is a real awakening to the errors of this basic sensory teaching.

Now what bothers me most with this is the idea (definition) that is a common thread in most dictionaries, is that each sense has its own dedicated organ.
Balance and acceleration have me perplexed most as they use the same organs as other so called (but maybe not) traditional idea of only 5 senses.
Does his mean the accepted definition does not really apply to hearing?
If it fails just once, it fails! in my opinion.
Your thoughts or guidance are appreciated?

The debate you mention is largely related to arriving at a standardized definition of the word "sense" before the debate can move on to actually arriving at a number.

Similarly, the definition problem extends to determining whether the "ear" involved in the sense of hearing is separate from the vestibular labyrinthine system of the inner ear which is the generally accepted "organ" involved in the "sense" of equilibrium and whether the thermoception "organ" includes the skin AND internal skin passages.

As with most things to do with "medicine" the devil is in the detail (including defining the word "medicine") and the level of detail at which the debaters are operating.

Exactly!
Thanks LRM for joining in however,
You have done a great job of concisely paraphrasing my original query and the rationale behind it.... but not actually added anything to the debate or question.

Why would I ???

Your original statement included the observation: "I did a quick check and saw there is quite some debate" and you're quite correct, there IS quite some debate.

And ????

Thanks LRM, you again have proven my point.
Being prolific without actually saying anything has certainly shown to be a great skill of yours. Forums gererally classify this type of behaviour as troll-like and it can certainly boost entertaiment and participation rates as the issues never are discussed and it inevitably degrades into a sideshow like is the norm on the other site.
Unfortunately it's not one that I feel I should spend energy much upon as I left the other site and came here to avoid / reduce that type of non-poster who argues emptily against anything without any hint of facts to back them up.
I suppose on internet forums it is a participation admission price that must be acknowledged and accepted.

CU all for now and enjoyi yourself here at realscam.com it has been fun!

SBM any chance of being deregistered? I am trepidatiously willing to use the word cupcake?
I had to ask! (tongue in cheek and no disrespect intended)

Well, that worked well.

Don't ya just love it when a plan comes together ??

Damage to the inner ear can affect your sight. The body's parts are all
interconnected to some degree so maybe there is only one sense, the totality of
your conscious and unconscious perception.