THE CURRENT PROBLEMS OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Bulletin of Toraighyrov University Humanities series March 30, 2026 А.р. Озкан, S. M. Jalmagambetova
The cognitive sphere operates through interactions among the brain, thinking, knowledge, and consciousness. The analytical paradigm treats consciousness not as an independent substance but as a conceptual objectification and reification of the subject's qualities, reducing dualism by focusing on linguistics and functional aspects. The article traces the problem of consciousness from Neolithic burial practices—early evidence of reflective thinking and spiritual beliefs—through philosophical systems of the Modern era, emphasizing the etymological and conceptual link between 'consciousness' and 'conscience.' The Reformation's emphasis on conscience established an internal source of truth that shaped the modern reflexive view of the self. The psychophysical problem of reducing mental phenomena to neurophysiological processes is examined, and an interdisciplinary approach integrating philosophy, cognitive science, and neuroscience is deemed essential for progress.