Methodological Encounters with the Phenomenal Kind.

Summary

The paper proposes a systematic framework for studying phenomenal consciousness as a natural kind, addressing methodological challenges in distinguishing it from access consciousness. It argues that understanding the underlying nature of phenomenal consciousness can lead to identifying instances beyond traditional methods like verbal reports. This approach suggests that it is possible to investigate phenomenal consciousness independently of access consciousness, similar to how non-liquid samples can still be recognized as water.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Block's well-known distinction between phenomenal consciousness and access consciousness has generated a large philosophical literature about putative conceptual connections between the two. The scientific literature about whether they come apart in any actual cases is rather smaller. Empirical evidence gathered to date has not settled the issue. Some put this down to a fundamental methodological obstacle to the empirical study of the relation between phenomenal consciousness and access consciousness. Block (2007) has drawn attention to the methodological puzzle and attempted to answer it. While the evidence Block points to is relevant and important, this paper puts forward a more systematic framework for addressing the puzzle. To give it a label, the approach is to study phenomenal consciousness as a natural kind. The approach allows consciousness studies to move beyond initial means of identifying instances of the kind like verbal report, and to find its underlying nature. It is well-recognised that facts about an underlying kind may allow identification of instances of the kind that do not match the initial means of identification (cp. non-liquid samples of water). This paper shows that the same method can be deployed to investigate phenomenal consciousness independently of access consciousness.