On the metaphysical foundations of naturalism in relation to consciousness

Summary

The article explores how naturalism relates to the study of consciousness and its ontological foundations. It questions whether consciousness can be integrated into a naturalistic framework that aligns with scientific standards. While naturalism offers advantages like grounding consciousness in science and emphasizing the brain's role, it faces challenges such as explaining qualitative experiences and the relationship between consciousness and the body. Additionally, it examines philosophy's role in unifying our understanding of consciousness within naturalism.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The article examines the ontological foundations of naturalism in relation to consciousness and attempts to clarify the relationship between naturalism and metaphysics. Ontology is understood as the doctrine of being, and metaphysics as research beyond empirical foundations. Is it possible to «naturalize» metaphysics and include consciousness in the ontological picture of the world in a way that would correspond to scientific standards? That is the question. Naturalism is the most natural and widespread, but not without contradictions, philosophical position. It proceeds from the priority of scientific knowledge, while the criteria of scientificity often turn out to be vague; proclaims reduction as the main principle, adherence to which can deprive the subject of research of its specificity; often denies the significance of ontological foundations in solving epistemological issues. Naturalism in relation to consciousness has a number of obvious advantages: reliance on science and explanation of consciousness only as a natural phenomenon; application of strict scientific methods in the study of consciousness; consideration of the brain as the source and cause of consciousness. The following difficulties encountered by naturalistic theories of consciousness are noted: the problem of «qualia» and phenomenal aspects of conscious experience; failure to explain «consciousness-body» (consciousness-brain); the problem of localization of consciousness; the unity of the «I» as a bearer of consciousness; the ontological status of consciousness. The question of the status of philosophy in the naturalistic study of the world as a whole and consciousness as a part of it is also raised. Philosophy claims to be a translator from one language to another and tries to build a unified picture of the world, alternately using physics, logic, and biology as basic terms. The metaphysical claims of philosophy are considered ontological and epistemological realism, while the opposite position is relativism or pluralism. Naturalism as applied to theories of consciousness is understood as a research position free from metaphysics.

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