A zimboe is a philosophical zombie that has apparent "second-order" states -- that is, beliefs about its physiological state. The term zimboe was coined by philosopher Daniel Dennett in arguing that the idea of a philosophical zombie is incoherent.
Daniel Dennett argues that being a zimboe is sufficient for a person to be considered "real". All philosophical zombies must, by definition, also be zimboes, and so one cannot view zombies as distinct from persons.
However, while zimboes cannot be distinguished from thinking humans by their behavior, certain areas of philosophy, religion, or parapsychology may distinguish them. Religions would not consider a zimboe to possess a soul or to experience an afterlife, and it is possible that a psychic could sense their difference.
See also