more from John Searle

Single Idea 3486

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 2. Unconscious Mind]

Full Idea

The ontology of the unconscious consists in objective features of the brain capable of causing subjective conscious thoughts.

Gist of Idea

Unconscious thoughts are those capable of causing conscious ones

Source

John Searle (The Rediscovery of the Mind [1992], Ch. 7.II.7)

Book Reference

Searle,John R.: 'The Rediscovery of the Mind' [MIT 1999], p.160


A Reaction

As it stands, this definition would fit a brain tumour. I think Searle is wrong. There is no sharp line between conscious and non-conscious brain events. Research has surely made it clear that dim brain events directly intrude into my conscious states.