This paper focuses on the role and value of thought experiments concerning phenomenal consciousness. It is divided in two parts. The first part surveys the philosophical and scientific context in which many well-known thought experiments concerning the mind and consciousness have their roots. In particular it focuses on the problems left open by scientific theories about consciousness and by...
Current philosophical and scientific approaches to consciousness are very often characterised by a strong background presupposition: whatever the precise details of a theory of consciousness may be, a physicalist – or materialist – view of consciousness itself must be correct. I believe, however, that this conviction, pervasive though it may be, is not really justified. In particular, I think...
This commentary focuses on three aspects of Sandro Nannini's paper Time and Consciusness in Cognitive Naturalism: (1) the parallel between Einstein's theory of relativity and the new science of the mind/brain; (2) the Cartesian characterization of non-reductionist positions in the philosophy of mind;(3) the alleged illusory status of consciousness, free will and the Self.We suggest, first, that...