The Natural Problem of Consciousness

Pietro Snider

Published by De Gruyter 2017

The Natural Problem of Consciousness

Pietro Snider

Volume 36 in the series Epistemic Studies

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110525571

Overview
Contents

About this book

The “Natural Problem of Consciousness” is the problem of understanding why there are presently conscious beings at all. Given a non-reductive naturalist framework taking consciousness as an ontologically subjective biological phenomenon, how can we rationally explain the fact that the actual world has turned out to be one where there are presently living beings that can feel, rather than having developed as a zombie-world in which there would be no conscious experiences of any kind?

This book introduces the Natural Problem by relating it to central problems in the philosophy of mind (metaphysical mind-body problem, Hard Problem of consciousness) and emphasizing the distinctive interest of its diachronic dimension. Ranging from philosophy to biology and neuroscience, it offers a thorough analysis aimed at better understanding what could explain why phenomenal consciousness has been preserved throughout evolution by natural selection. This is an original, engaging, and thought provoking philosophical study of a neglected but fundamental question regarding the nature and origin of consciousness.

Author / Editor information

Pietro Snider, University of Basel, Switzerland.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	I
Acknowledgments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	V
Funding Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	VII
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	IX
1. Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. The Metaphysical Problem of Consciousness Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	40
3. The Natural Problem of Consciousness Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	66
4. Consciousness as Feeling. Defining Criteria Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	80
5. Working Out Diachronic Claims Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	115
6. Why Do We Feel? Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	137
7. A Hypothetical Biological Function of Feeling Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	155
8. Causation and the Conscious Mind Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	191
Appendix: Objections and Replies Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	207
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	223
Name Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	235

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter
Audience: Academics, libraries, institutes
Pages
- Front matter: 7
- Main content: 250
Illustrations
- Illustrations: 3
- Coloured Illustrations: 2
- Tables: 8
Keywords: Evolution; phenomenal consciousness; natural selection; mental causation; mind-body problem

eBook

Published: June 12, 2017
ISBN: 9783110525571

Hardcover

Published: June 12, 2017
ISBN: 9783110526967

Paperback

Published: July 8, 2019
ISBN: 9783110653670