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Single Idea 7394

[from 'Consciousness Explained' by Daniel C. Dennett, in 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 1. Consciousness / e. Cause of consciousness ]

Full Idea

Only a theory that explained conscious events in terms of unconscious events could explain consciousness at all.

Gist of Idea

Conscious events can only be explained in terms of unconscious events

Source

Daniel C. Dennett (Consciousness Explained [1991], 14.4)

Book Reference

Dennett,Daniel C.: 'Consciousness Explained' [Penguin 1993], p.454


A Reaction

This sounds undeniable, so it seems to force a choice between reductive physicalism and mysterianism. Personally I think there must be an explanation in terms of non-conscious events, even if humans are too thick to understand it.