Some Current Controversies Concerning Consciousness
Buddhist Physicalism? August 5, 2025 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1093/9780197799697.003.0006
Summary
The chapter explores the Indian Buddhist tradition's perspectives on consciousness in relation to contemporary philosophy and cognitive development. It introduces key terms and concepts, addressing challenges in formulating a non-egological view of state consciousness. A proposed resolution distinguishes between System 1 and System 2, identifying state consciousness as mental states posted to the global workspace. Additionally, it discusses the 'too-many-subjects' objection to physicalist views of consciousness, responding with insights from the Buddhist theory of two truths.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | State consciousness is identified as mental states that are posted to the global workspace. |
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Abstract
Abstract This chapter begins the process of bringing the Indian Buddhist tradition’s views on the nature of consciousness into conversation with current work in the philosophy of consciousness and cognitive development. Some key terms used in current work are introduced and compared to concepts employed in Buddhist philosophy of mind. The difficulties involved in developing a non-egological formulation of state consciousness are discussed. A resolution of these difficulties is described involving the distinction between System 1 and System 2, with occurrences of state consciousness being identified as those mental states that are posted to the global workspace. And there is discussion of the “too-many-subjects” objection to a physicalist account of consciousness, with a response built around the Buddhist theory of two truths.