Single Idea 3286

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 1. Consciousness / b. Essence of consciousness]

Full Idea

An organism only has conscious mental states if and only if there is something that it is like to be that organism.

Gist of Idea

An organism is conscious if and only if there is something it is like to be that organism

Source

Thomas Nagel (What is it like to be a bat? [1974], p.166)

Book Reference

Nagel,Thomas: 'Mortal Questions' [CUP 1981], p.166


A Reaction

It is hard to argue with this, but one should push on and ask what features of its consciousness make it such that there is a 'what it is like'. What is it like to have a subconscious mind, or be deeply asleep, or drive while daydreaming?