more from John Searle

Single Idea 3826

[catalogued under 16. Persons / B. Nature of the Self / 1. Self and Consciousness]

Full Idea

The first condition on the self is that it should be capable of consciousness.

Gist of Idea

A self must at least be capable of consciousness

Source

John Searle (Rationality in Action [2001], Ch.3.IX)

Book Reference

Searle,John R.: 'Rationality in Action' [MIT 2001], p.93


A Reaction

This strikes me as a stipulative definition. It raises the question of whether it is possible that a lizard (say) is not actually conscious, but has some sort of propriotreptic awareness, and a 'central controller' for its decision-making.