Consciousness in Neorealism: Perry, Montague, and Holt.
Journal of the history of ideas – January 01, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
In the early twentieth century, American neo-realists grappled with the complexities of consciousness. Notably, William Pepperrell Montague and Edwin B. Holt, who both addressed the problem of error, had significant disagreements on their proposed solutions. Their debates are highlighted through an analysis of their works, including insights from Ralph Barton Perry. This exploration not only sheds light on historical philosophical discussions but also connects to ongoing conversations in contemporary philosophy of mind, illustrating the enduring relevance of these early thinkers.
Abstract
The early twentieth-century American neo-realists' approach to consciousness is historically reconstructed and critically discussed. With reference to the relevant works of Ralph Barton Perry, William Pepperrell Montague, and Edwin B. Holt, it is argued that Montague and Holt, in particular, struggled with the problem of error and disagreed strongly on their solutions to it. Finally, a line is drawn to related discussions in contemporary philosophy of mind.