The Matter of Consciousness

NOTE EDITORE

Torin Alter presents a compelling defence of the 'knowledge argument' against physicalism, pioneered by Frank Jackson. According to physicalism, consciousness is a physical phenomenon. The knowledge argument stars Mary, who learns all objective, physical information through black-and-white media and yet acquires new information when she first sees colors for herself: information about what it is like to see in color. Based partly on that case, Jackson concludes that not all information is physical. Alter argues that the knowledge argument succeeds in refuting all standard versions of physicalism: versions on which consciousness is grounded by what objective science reveals. Alter also argues that given further, plausible assumptions, the knowledge argument leads to Russellian monism, according to which there are intrinsic properties that both constitute consciousness and underlie properties described by physics, such as mass and charge. Alter explains how the knowledge argument establishes those two conclusions and defend it against numerous objections.

SOMMARIO

1 - Introduction2 - The significance of structure3 - Structure, physical knowledge, and ignorance4 - Phenomenal knowledge without experience5 - Non-propositional phenomenal knowledge6 - Phenomenal representation7 - Deduction and necessity8 - Epistemic-modal bridge principles9 - The phenomenal concept strategy and Chalmers's dilemma10 - Consequences of social externalism11 - The conditional analysis of phenomenal concepts12 - The supervenience requirement on physicalism13 - Two final objections14 - Two final objections15 - The knowledge argument, Russellian monism, and causal integration

AUTORE

Torin Alter is Professor of Philosophy at The University of Alabama, USA. He is author of articles in Mind, Philosophical Studies, and elsewhere; co-author of A Dialogue on Consciousness and The God Dialogues: A Philosophical Journey (both OUP); and co-editor of Consciousness and the Mind-Body Problem: A Reader and Phenomenal Concepts and Phenomenal Knowledge: New Essays on Consciousness and Physicalism (both OUP).

ALTRE INFORMAZIONI

• Condizione: Nuovo
• ISBN: 9780198840459
• Dimensioni: 240 x 23.0 x 162 mm Ø 594 gr
• Formato: Copertina rigida
• Pagine Arabe: 288