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Single Idea 7523

[from 'Recent Work on Consciousness' by Churchland / Churchland, in 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 5. Qualia / c. Explaining qualia ]

Full Idea

The so-called Hard Problem (of qualia) appears to be one of the easiest, in comparison with the problems of short-term memory, fluid and directable attention, the awake state vs sleep, and the unity of consciousness.

Gist of Idea

The qualia Hard Problem is easy, in comparison with the co-ordination of mental states

Source

Churchland / Churchland (Recent Work on Consciousness [1997])

Book Reference

Churchland,Paul and Patricia: 'On the Contrary: critical essays 1987-1997' [MIT 1998], p.166


A Reaction

Most of their version of the Hard Problems centre on personal identity, and the centralised co-ordination of mental events. I am inclined to agree with them. Worriers about qualia should think more about the complexity of systems of neurons.