The Problem of Phenomenal Consciousness

Summary

The chapter explores the 'hard problem' of phenomenal consciousness within physicalism and proposes a Buddhist perspective for resolution. It argues that the development of inner speech in the first-person application of theory of mind creates a mirroring effect, suggesting that the subject-object dichotomy is an illusion. Consequently, qualia are viewed as artifacts arising from this useful fiction.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract This chapter addresses the “hard problem” of phenomenal consciousness that confronts any form of physicalism. After describing the problem and discussing some common approaches that physicalists have offered in response, it attempts to develop a specifically Buddhist approach to its resolution. This turns on the key point that first-person application of theory of mind involves the development of inner speech, something that fosters a kind of mirroring of the subject’s representational system. Since a mirror image is an illusory appearance, this reveals the subject-object dichotomy to be a kind of illusion. Qualia are thereby shown to be artifacts of the deployment of a sort of useful fiction.