Single Idea 9318

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / D. Property Dualism / 6. Mysterianism]

Full Idea

In Chalmers's non-reductive theory, phenomenal consciousness is treated as a fundamental feature of the world, that cannot be explained in nonphenomenal terms. Theory is still possible, in the regularities of interaction.

Gist of Idea

Phenomenal consciousness is fundamental, with no possible nonphenomenal explanation

Source

report of David J.Chalmers (The Conscious Mind [1996]) by U Kriegel / K Williford - Intro to 'Self-Representational Consciousness' n2

Book Reference

'Self-Representational Approaches to Consciousness', ed/tr. Kriegel,U /Williford,K [MIT 2006], p.7


A Reaction

I can't make much sense of this view without a backing of panpsychism. How could a 'fundamental' feature of reality only begin to appear when life evolves on one particular planet? But 'panpsychism' is a warning of big misunderstandings. See Idea 2424.

Related Idea

Idea 2424 It is odd if experience is a very recent development [Chalmers]