Philosophy of Consciousness
The Hard Problem, qualia, panpsychism, idealism, dualism, and the major philosophical positions on the nature of conscious experience.
The philosophy of consciousness addresses the most fundamental questions about the nature of subjective experience. What makes a mental state conscious? Is consciousness intrinsic to reality or does it emerge from complex physical systems? Can third-person science ever explain first-person experience?
Key subtopics: Hard Problem of Consciousness, Qualia, Materialism, Dualism, Idealism, Panpsychism, Phenomenology, Functionalism, Enactivism, Russellian Monism, Neutral Monism, Higher-Order Theories, Mysterianism
Featured Entries
Consciousness and Fundamental Reality
Defends a version of Russellian monism combined with panpsychism. Consciousness is the intrinsic nature of fundamental physical properties. Addresses the combination problem and argues that Russellian …
Epiphenomenal Qualia
Mary knows everything physical about colour vision but has lived in a black-and-white room. Upon seeing red for the first time, she learns something new — therefore physicalism is false. Qualia are …
Facing Up to the Problem of Consciousness
Distinguishes the "easy problems" (explaining cognitive functions) from the "Hard Problem" (explaining why there is subjective experience at all). Consciousness does not logically supervene on the …
Galileo's Error: Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness
Galileo's "error" was excising consciousness from the scientific worldview by decreeing that only quantities (shapes, sizes, motions) count as real, while qualities (colours, sounds, tastes) are …
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Key Thinkers
Related Pathways
Consciousness for Beginners
No background required. Ten essential works that open the door to consciousness studies — from Nagel's bat to Tononi's integrated information.
View pathway →Science-Spirituality Bridge
How modern science (panpsychism, neurophenomenology, predictive processing) converges with ancient contemplative wisdom (Advaita, Buddhism, Kashmir Shaivism).
View pathway →The Hard Problem: A Guided Tour
From Nagel 1974 to the present: the central problem of consciousness philosophy, the major positions, and why it still isn't solved.
View pathway →Deepen Your Study
Full-length courses on philosophy of consciousness are available on holisticconsciousness.in — the companion LMS for seekersabodepl.com.