Are Pure Consciousness Events Unmediated?
The Problem of Pure Consciousness March 29, 1990 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780195059809.003.0008
Summary
The paper discusses the experience of pure consciousness, characterized by a state where the subject is awake and conscious but lacks any thoughts, emotions, sensations, or awareness of external phenomena. This exploration aims to clarify and condense the original work of Steven Bernhardt, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1986. The author hopes that Bernhardt would approve of the revisions made to his contributions.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | The experience of pure consciousness is defined as being awake and conscious without any thoughts, emotions, sensations, or awareness of external phenomena. |
|---|
Abstract
Abstract During the summer of 1986 Steven Bernhardt was killed in an automobile accident. The present paper was submitted and accepted at that time, although it was overlong and in a fairly rough form. In order to include it in the present collection, and to ensure that Bernhardt’s contribution did not go unacknowledged, I have substantially revised his paper. While clarifying and condensing, I have tried to remain as close to the spirit and letter of the original as possible. It is my fond hope that the author would approve of the paper as it now appears.-Ed. The experience of pure consciousness can be characterized as follows: The subject is awake, conscious, but without an object or content of consciousness-no thoughts, emotions, sensations, or awareness of any external phenomena.