Prospects for the Scientific Study of Phenomenal Consciousness
Thinking about Consciousness April 25, 2002 David Papineau
Many scientists expect brain research to reveal the physical basis of conscious experience. However, Papineau contends that scientific investigation has limits when addressing the 'hard problem' of linking phenomenal concepts—our subjective experiences—to specific material states. Phenomenal concepts are inherently vague and do not point determinately to particular neural correlates. The chapter also examines Higher-Order Thought (HOT) and representational theories of consciousness, which offer alternative frameworks for understanding how mental states become conscious.