Problems and Hopes of Neurophenomenology and First-Person Neuroscience

Neuroscience is influencing new research programs that combine high-tech methods with social science approaches. This article examines neurophenomenology and first-person neuroscience, which aim to bridge first-person and third-person research perspectives. It outlines current areas of interest and methodological approaches in these fields, summarizing basic problems associated with the research program. Linking neuroscience to other disciplines that analyze phenomena at different levels involves conceptual and methodological issues. Although no definitive solution is in sight, neurophenomenology offers stimuli for new reflections on mental states and brings new perspectives to social neuroscience.

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Abstract

Neuroscience is a dynamically developing discipline which currently influences the emergence of new research programs that combine high-tech neuroscience methodology with social science approaches. This article focuses on neurophenomenology and fields of first-person neuroscience that attempt to bridge the gap between first-person and third-person perspectives of research. The aim of this article is to show what areas of interest and what methodological approaches the current neurophenomenology and first-person neuroscience is taking, especially in the context of a summary of the basic problems associated with this research program. Efforts to link neuroscience to other disciplines, that traditionally deal with the phenomena of different levels of analysis, are associated with several conceptual and methodological problems. Although no definitive solution to these problems is in sight, neurophenomenology provides a number of stimuli for new reflections on the nature of mental states and brings new perspectives for research within social neuroscience.