The Paradox of Scientific Consciousness PDF Download

Author: Edward T. Oakes
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Phenomenology
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Author: Rocco J. Gennaro
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262016605
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 389

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Book Description
A defense of a version of the higher-order thought (HOT) theory of consciousness with special attention to such topics as concepts and animal consciousness. Consciousness is arguably the most important area within contemporary philosophy of mind and perhaps the most puzzling aspect of the world. Despite an explosion of research from philosophers, psychologists, and scientists, attempts to explain consciousness in neurophysiological, or even cognitive, terms are often met with great resistance. In The Consciousness Paradox, Rocco Gennaro aims to solve an underlying paradox, namely, how it is possible to hold a number of seemingly inconsistent views, including higher-order thought (HOT) theory, conceptualism, infant and animal consciousness, concept acquisition, and what he calls the HOT-brain thesis. He defends and further develops a metapsychological reductive representational theory of consciousness and applies it to several importantly related problems. Gennaro proposes a version of the HOT theory of consciousness that he calls the "wide intrinsicality view" and shows why it is superior to various alternatives, such as self-representationalism and first-order representationalism. HOT theory says that what makes a mental state conscious is that a suitable higher-order thought is directed at that mental state. Thus Gennaro argues for an overall philosophical theory of consciousness while applying it to other significant issues not usually addressed in the philosophical literature on consciousness. Most cognitive science and empirical works on such topics as concepts and animal consciousness do not address central philosophical theories of consciousness. Gennaro's integration of empirical and philosophical concerns will make his argument of interest to both philosophers and nonphilosophers.

Author: José Luis Bermúdez
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 9780262522779
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 360

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In this book, Jos� Luis Berm�dez addesses two fundamental problems in the philosophy and psychology of self-consciousness: (1) Can we provide a noncircular account of fully fledged self-conscious thought and language in terms of more fundamental capacities? (2) Can we explain how fully fledged self-conscious thought and language can arise in the normal course of human development? Berm�dez argues that a paradox (the paradox of self-consciousness) arises from the apparent strict interdependence between self-conscious thought and linguistic self-reference. The paradox renders circular all theories that define self-consciousness in terms of linguistic mastery of the first-person pronoun. It seems to follow from the paradox of self-consciousness that no such account or explanation can be given. Drawing on recent work in empirical psychology and philosophy, the author argues that any explanation of fully fledged self-consciousness that answers these two questions requires attention to primitive forms of self-consciousness that are prelinguistic and preconceptual. Such primitive forms of self-consciousness are to be found in somatic proprioception, the structure of exteroceptive perception, and prelinguistic forms of social interaction. The author uses these primitive forms of self-consciousness to dissolve the paradox of self-consciousness and to show how the two questions can be given an affirmative answer.

Author: John R. Searle
Publisher: New York Review of Books
ISBN: 9780940322066
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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It has long been one of the most fundamental problems of philosophy, and it is now, John Searle writes, "the most important problem in the biological sciences": What is consciousness? Is my inner awareness of myself something separate from my body? In what began as a series of essays in The New York Review of Books, John Searle evaluates the positions on consciousness of such well-known scientists and philosophers as Francis Crick, Gerald Edelman, Roger Penrose, Daniel Dennett, David Chalmers, and Israel Rosenfield. He challenges claims that the mind works like a computer, and that brain functions can be reproduced by computer programs. With a sharp eye for confusion and contradiction, he points out which avenues of current research are most likely to come up with a biological examination of how conscious states are caused by the brain. Only when we understand how the brain works will we solve the mystery of consciousness, and only then will we begin to understand issues ranging from artificial intelligence to our very nature as human beings.

Author: Adam Lee Balmer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Author: Lukas Engelbrecht
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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What is consciousness? It is one of the greatest mysteries of the human experience, and a question that has puzzled philosophers and scientists for centuries. In this book, we embark on a journey of discovery, exploring the nature of consciousness from a variety of perspectives. Through the latest scientific research, philosophical inquiry, and practical applications, we delve into the hard problem of consciousness, the unity of consciousness, the subjective experience, and the neural correlates of consciousness. We examine the complexity of this multifaceted phenomenon and present a range of theories and ideas for readers to consider. Whether you are a scientist, philosopher, or simply a curious reader, this book invites you to engage with one of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Join us as we unravel the mystery of consciousness, and gain a deeper understanding of yourself, others, and the world around you. This book is ideal for anyone interested in consciousness studies, including students, researchers, and professionals in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and related disciplines.

Author: Steven M. Rosen
Publisher: SUNY Press
ISBN: 9780791417706
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 348

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Science, Paradox, and the Moebius Principle confronts basic anomalies in the foundations of contemporary knowledge. Steven M. Rosen deals with paradoxes that call into question our conventional way of thinking about space, time, and the nature of human experience. Rosen's contribution is unique in at least five respects: 1) He provides an unparalleled integration of modern theoretical science and contemporary phenomenological thought. 2) He features a section of dialogue with David Bohm, who contributed greatly in fields of major concern to the book. 3) He sets forth a process theory and philosophy, presenting a concept in which space, time, and consciousness undergo a continuous internal transformation and organic growth. 4) He furnishes a highly specific account of dialectical change, employing geometric forms that bring the dynamics of paradox into focus with unprecedented clarity. 5) He is transdisciplinary and provides transcultural bridges between the "two cultures" of science and the humanities.

Author: Dr Rory Mac Sweeney
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781911032007
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 168

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Could dreams possibly be made of atoms? In this comprehensive essay, explorer Dr Rory Mac Sweeney examines consciousness from inside the world of lucid dreaming and contrasts it that of the waking mind which reflects it. Why do dreams have gravity or moreover why is it sometimes they do not? The answer, Mac Sweeney concludes, must be in the metaphysics. In this book he outlines his own original theory of matter and mind and shows how they may ultimately be absolved of their paradoxical dance. As the new millennium begins to bed in, a swell of information is pushing the ontological pendulum from the reductionist-materialist view to the magical paradigm of reality. This, Mac Sweeney proposes, is not mere coincidence but a natural shift in the melody of nature, one which is catalysing the entire cosmos into a more complex, creative and dynamic state. Never one to shy away from controversy, Dr Mac Sweeney promises to tear up the fabric of conventional thinking and shake the very foundations of the reader's view of reality... Dr Rory Mac Sweeney is an avid explorer of altered states of consciousness. His primary area of interest is lucid dreaming which he has been practicing routinely for several years now. Since discovering he had the ability to enter into this elusive state he has used it as a laboratory in which to experiment and extrapolate the nature of reality. He is a lifelong martial artist and has uniquely used his knowledge of Chi Kung to act as a probe for investigating the fabric of the dream world. This has led to him forging his own metaphysical theory of mind, the double edge self theory, which he discusses in his debut book, The Paradox of Lucid Dreaming. In his professional life Dr Mac Sweeney is a dental surgeon and he works in private practice in central London. He also has a degree in genetics and maintains a constant interest in all aspects of science. Rory can frequently be heard offering his expert opinion at various specialist conferences and podcasts. He is constantly researching and refining his views of consciousness, with the hope that inner space will one day hold as much sway with the scientific community as outer space currently does. In this regard he considers lucid dreaming to be an essential ontological concern. Rory can be contacted on his home site at www.wakeupinyourdreams.com

Author: Donald Redfield Griffin
Publisher: Rockefeller Univ. Press
ISBN:
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 148

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Author: Amit Goswami
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 9780874777987
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 340

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In this stimulating and timely book, Amit Goswami, PhD, shatters the widely popular belief held by Western science that matter is the primary "stuff" of creation and proposes instead that consciousness is the true foundation of all we know and perceive. His explanation of quantum physics for lay readers, called "a model of clarity" by Kirkus Reviews, sets the stage for a voyage of discovery through the common ground of science and religion, the entwined nature of mind and body, and our interconnectedness with all of creation.