On the Science of Consciousness: Epistemological Reflections and Clinical Implications.

The concept of consciousness and the mind-brain relationship, known as the 'hard problem,' remain unresolved, involving both science and philosophy with deep epistemological implications. The debate on the foundations of consciousness science contains philosophical biases related to the adopted paradigm and axioms, and the logical contradiction between monism and dualism. These biases originated largely from Descartes' thinking and the birth of modern sciences as a compromise with the Inquisition, persisting through the Enlightenment and Positivism. A proper investigation of consciousness and subjectivity requires reflection on the paradigm of scientific medicine to identify flaws and overcome the limits of the mechanistic-reductionist approach.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Consciousness has been one of the most important and tantalizing issues ever since the origin of philosophy and medicine. The concept of consciousness and the so-called "hard problem" (i.e., the mind-brain relationship) are highly complex topics that have yet to be elucidated, involving the realms of both science and philosophy with profound epistemological implications. In the lively debate on the foundations of the science of consciousness there are several potential biases of an essentially philosophical nature, such as those related to the paradigm and axioms adopted, and the ostensible logical contradiction between monism and dualism. Their origin dates back largely to Descartes' thinking and the birth of the new sciences as a compromise with the Inquisition, but they have been handed down through the Enlightenment and Positivism. A proper investigation of consciousness and the world of subjectivity demands a careful reflection on the paradigm of scientific medicine to identify possible flaws and overcome the limits of the mechanistic-reductionist approach.