Bergson’un Zihin Felsefesinde Qualia: Bilinç Durumlarının Nitelikselliği ve Öznelliği
MetaZihin: Yapay Zeka ve Zihin Felsefesi Dergisi December 30, 2020 Ahmet Faruk Si̇li̇fke
This philosophical paper investigates whether the contemporary notion of qualia—subjective, qualitative aspects of conscious experience—corresponds to Henri Bergson's conception of the fundamental qualities of conscious states. Bergson argues that conscious states unfold in pure duration, free from spatial or quantitative attributes, each moment possessing new, unrepeatable qualities shaped by personal memory and creativity. The paper examines Bergson's thought experiment involving two characters, Paul and Pierre, concluding that Paul cannot know or experience Pierre's conscious states without becoming Pierre himself, illustrating the inaccessibility of subjective experience. The analysis demonstrates parallels between Bergson's philosophy and the contemporary qualia problem, suggesting Bergson's work offers theoretical depth useful for understanding, critiquing, and inspiring new approaches in philosophy of mind.