Panpsychism and the mind-body problem in contemporary analytic philosophy
Intellectual History Review December 7, 2023 Emmett L. Holman
Panpsychism, the view that consciousness is a fundamental feature of all physical matter, has gained traction among analytic philosophers in recent decades. This paper traces the history of the mind–body problem since the 1960s, explaining how debates between physicalist and dualist theories reached an impasse that has led many philosophers to consider panpsychism as a promising alternative. The author reviews several versions of panpsychism that have emerged, discusses its prospects as a scientific theory, and notes how some scientists view it. While panpsychism is not presented as unproblematic, it is offered as a way to break the deadlock between standard positions.