Single Idea 5687

[catalogued under 16. Persons / C. Self-Awareness / 1. Introspection]

Full Idea

Some writers distinguish introspection from a pre-introspective awareness of mental phenomena, saying one is not properly introspecting unless one is not only aware of the phenomena, but aware that one is aware of them.

Gist of Idea

For true introspection, must we be aware that we are aware of our mental events?

Source

Sydney Shoemaker (Introspection [1994], p.395)

Book Reference

'A Companion to the Philosophy of Mind', ed/tr. Guttenplan,Samuel [Blackwell 1995], p.395


A Reaction

The test question might be what we think animals do. I think I agree with the 'writers'. You are either just aware of the contents or qualia or images of thought, which is not introspection, or you become introspectively aware that you are having them.