Consciousness Is Definition-Dependent
The MIT Press eBooks December 16, 2025 Or Raphael
Consciousness remains a profound mystery and a central unresolved question in science. The author argues that the study of consciousness requires engaging multiple forms of consciousness, each equally legitimate and useful for inquiry. Combining subjective inquiry and contemplative practices with traditional scientific methods is essential because consciousness and experience are inseparable. Self-reflection and contemplation can reveal new aspects of consciousness and clarify the limits of objective knowledge. The author proposes two experiential practices that illustrate the value of contemplative methods, aiming to explore our core ability to know and identify the limits of objective knowledge, offering an alternative pathway to objective knowledge.