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Book SynopsisWhat is it for you to be conscious? There is no agreement whatever in philosophy or science: it has remained a hard problem, a mystery. Is this partly or mainly owed to the existing theories not even having the same subject, not answering the same question? In Actual Consciousness, Ted Honderich sets out to supersede dualisms, objective physicalisms, abstract functionalism, externalisms, and other positions in the debate. He argues that the theory of Actualism, right or wrong, is unprecedented, in nine ways. (1) It begins from gathered data and proceeds to an adequate initial clarification of consciousness in the primary ordinary sense. This consciousness is summed up as something''s being actual. (2) Like basic science, Actualism proceeds from this metaphorical or figurative beginning to what is wholly literal and explicit--constructed answers to the questions of what is actual and what it is for it to be actual. (3) In so doing, the theory respects the differences of consciousness wi
Trade ReviewI admire Honderich's insightful self-reflective re-examination of the facts of consciousness as he perceives them . . . That Honderich's discussion of actual consciousness opens so many avenues for philosophical exploration is the measure of its success and likely long-lasting contribution to the study and understanding of consciousness. The book is highly recommended for its topic, approach and new perspectives on the challenging problem of adequately understanding consciousness in a scientific philosophy of mind. For those with minimal objection to countenancing as many actualities as there are perceiving minds, then the subjective actuality of consciousness may have found an ideal situation in Honderich's theory of actual consciousness. * Dale Jacquette, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews Online *
Honderich's thought in Actual Consciousness is as always entirely accessible . . . For its genre this is an unusual book, not least, though engagingly, for the virtually "actual" presence of its author on every page. Honderich's checklists and their interrelations should provide themes for many seminars to come. * Alastair Hannay, Philosophy *
This audacious venture should certainly be praised . . . good philosophy presses readers to think for themselves, and Actual Consciousness gives us much food for thought. * Roberta Locatelli, Times Higher Education *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction 1: Need for an Adequate Initial Clarification 2: Five Leading Ideas About Consciousness 3: Something's Being Actual 4: Dualisms, Functionalisms, Consciousness-Criteria 5: Other Consciousness Theories, Criteria Again 6: What It Is To Be Objectively Physical 7: Perceptual Consciousness--What Is and Isn't Actual 8: Perceptual Consciousness--Being Actual Is Being Subjectively Physical 9: Cognitive and Affective Consciousness--Theories, and What Is And Isn't Actual 10: Cognitive and Affective Consciousness--Being Actual is Being Differently Subjectively Physical 11: Conclusions Past and Present Bibliography Index
