How Matter Becomes Conscious: A Naturalistic Theory of the MindThis innovative book proposes a unique and original perspective on the nature of the mind and how phenomenal consciousness may arise in a physical world. From simple sentient organisms to complex self-reflective systems, Faye argues for a naturalistic-evolutionary approach to philosophy of mind and consciousness. Drawing on substantial literature in evolutionary biology and cognitive science, this book offers a promising alternative to the major theories of the mind-body problem: the quality of our experiences should not, as some philosophers have claimed, be associated with subjectivity that is not open for scientific explanation, nor should it be associated with intrinsic properties of the brain. Instead, Faye argues that mental properties are extrinsic properties of the brain caused by the organism’s interaction with its environment. Taking on the explanatory gap, and rejecting the ontological pluralism of present naturalist theories of the mind, Faye thus proposes aunified view of reality in which it is possible to explain qualitative mental presentations as part of the physical world. |
Contents
| 1 | |
2 Our Animal Mind | 29 |
3 Subjectivity in a Biological Perspective | 69 |
4 A Difference That Makes No Difference | 106 |
5 Why Identity Is Not Enough | 145 |
6 Functionalism Mechanisms and Levels of Reality | 182 |
7 The Environment Is What Matters | 225 |
8 Understanding Consciousness | 259 |
Epilogue | 305 |
| 313 | |
| 324 | |
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able activity adaptation animals argue argument aware behavior believe biological brain processes capacity categorical basis causal interaction causal powers cause Chalmers characterized cognitive color complex conceptual cone cells consciousness constituted emergence empirical entities environment epiphenomenal epistemic erties evolution evolutionary exist experiential explain explanatory external extrinsic properties fact feeling flock flock behavior functional functionalist human ical identify identity theory imagine instance instantiated intentions intrinsic isomers levels manifestation mechanisms mechanistic mental properties metaphysical mind mind-body mirror neurons multiple realizability Nagel natural selection naturalist neural neurons non-reductive object ontological organism organism’s pain particular perception perspective phenomenal phenomenon philosophers Philosophy of Mind physicalist possible present priori problem property dualism propositional attitude qualia qualities realized reduced reductionism relation representation riences scientific second-order semantic sensations sense sensory experiences specific starling stimuli structural subjective experience supervene thinking tion tive understanding visual zombie argument