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Single Idea 7437

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

Full Idea

Consciousness and experience of qualities are often run together - a serious mistake, I think.

Gist of Idea

Consciousness and experience of qualities are not the same

Source

David M. Armstrong (Pref to new 'Materialist Theory' [1992], p.xvii)

Book Ref

Armstrong,D.M.: 'A Materialist Theory of Mind' [Routledge 1993], p.-7


A Reaction

A difficult claim to evaluate. Can we experience redness without being conscious of it? Could there be consciousness (e.g. of concepts) which didn't involve any qualities? I suspect that qualities are more basic than intentionality or consciousness.


The 8 ideas from 'Pref to new 'Materialist Theory''

Causal Functionalism says mental states are apt for producing behaviour [Armstrong]
One mental role might be filled by a variety of physical types [Armstrong]
The identity of mental states with physical properties is contingent, because the laws of nature are contingent [Armstrong]
Behaviourism is false, but mind is definable as the cause of behaviour [Armstrong]
The manifestations of a disposition need never actually exist [Armstrong]
Consciousness and experience of qualities are not the same [Armstrong]
A causal theory of mentality would be improved by a teleological element [Armstrong]
Secondary qualities are microscopic primary qualities of physical things [Armstrong]