Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Archimedes, Roger Scruton and Colin McGinn

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2 ideas

15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 1. Consciousness / d. Purpose of consciousness

4271	There is consciousness whenever behaviour must be explained in terms of mental activity [Scruton]
	Full Idea: There is consciousness whenever behaviour must be explained in terms of mental activity.
	From: Roger Scruton (Animal Rights and Wrongs [1996], p.23)
	A reaction: Not a point that would trouble an eliminativist, as it sounds suspiciously circular or question-begging.

15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 2. Unconscious Mind

4691	If all mental life were conscious, we would be unable to see things, or to process speech [McGinn]
	Full Idea: If there were nothing more to our mind than our conscious awareness, then we would be unable to see anything or to process speech.
	From: Colin McGinn (The Making of a Philosopher [2002], Ch. 6)
	A reaction: A vital point. Traditional dualism has left us a simplistic exaggeration of the role of consciousness, and the misapprehension that most of what we do is conscious - which it clearly isn't, once you think about it.