Description
Book SynopsisArgues that the subjective feel of our experience is fully explicable in naturalistic (scientifically acceptable) terms, and develops and defends a novel account in terms of higher-order thought. Essential reading for all those in philosophy and the cognitive sciences who are interested in the problem of consciousness.
Trade Review'Carruthers' book is a marvellous and wide-ranging critical introduction to the problem of conciousness from a representational theory point of view … Carruthers also develops and defends a highly original version of the representational theory of consciousness which boasts a remarkable degree of depth and precision … an intriguing and original addition to the growing range of representational theories of consciousness, which is the most exciting area in consciousness studies at the moment … Carruthers' book is now an essential part of the literature in this area.' William Seager, University of Toronto
'Carruthers' new book is a welcome addition to the extensive literature on phenomenal consciousness … Carruthers has written a rich and rewarding book … the level of argumentation is consistently high, and a wide range of empirical evidence is brought to bear … no one working in the philosophy of mind and/or psychology can afford to ignore it.' The Philosophical Quarterly
' … compulsory reading for anyone interested in the comtemporary philosophical and scientific debate over the nature of phenomenal consciousness.' An Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Consciousness
Table of Contents1. Assumptions, distinctions, and a map; 2. Perspectival, subjective, and worldly facts; 3. Explanatory gaps and qualia; 4. Naturalisation and narrow content; 5. First-order representationalism; 6. Against first-order representationalism; 7. Higher-order representationalism: a first defence; 8. Dispositionalist higher-order thought theory (1): function; 9. Dispositionalist higher-order thought theory (2): feel; 10. Phenomenal consciousness and language; 11. Fragmentary consciousness and the Cartesian theatre.
