Single Idea 7658

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 5. Qualia / c. Explaining qualia]

Full Idea

If you define qualia as intrinsic properties of experiences considered in isolation from all their causes and effects, logically independent of all dispositional properties, then they are logically guaranteed to elude all broad functional analysis.

Gist of Idea

Obviously there can't be a functional anaylsis of qualia if they are defined by intrinsic properties

Source

Daniel C. Dennett (Sweet Dreams [2005], Ch.8)

Book Reference

Dennett,Daniel C.: 'Sweet Dreams' [MIT 2005], p.177


A Reaction

This is a good point - it seems daft to reify qualia and imagine them dangling in mid-air with all their vibrant qualities - but that is a long way from saying there is nothing more to qualia than functional roles. Functions must be exlained too.