Panpsychism and Physical Idealism
Zeitschrift für philosophische Forschung June 1, 2023 DOI: 10.3196/004433023837453551 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractSome contemporary panpsychist theories share substantial common ground with idealism. While traditional phenomenal macro idealism has faced broad criticism for its implausible explanation of physical facts, this paper examines three idealism-friendly panpsychist philosophies and proposes that with revisions a plausible realist and physical idealism can be articulated. Drawing on information-theoretic models of consciousness and metaphysical arguments for the ontological primacy of mind, the author suggests, through a Schelling-inspired perspective, that aspects of consciousness's intrinsic nature offer a promising approach to the decomposition problem—a significant challenge facing panpsychist and cosmopsychist theories.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Philosophy |
| Key finding | Proposes that a Schelling-inspired perspective on the intrinsic nature of consciousness can help resolve the decomposition problem in panpsychist theories. |
Abstract
There is a significant convergence between some contemporary panpsychist theories and idealism. Traditional phenomenal, macro idealism has been widely criticised for its implausible account of physical facts. This paper examines three idealism friendly contemporary panpsychist philosophies and suggests that with some revisions a plausible realist and physical idealism can be articulated. Taking from information-theoretic models of consciousness and metaphysical arguments for the ontological primacy of mind, it is suggested via a Schelling inspired perspective that aspects of consciousness??? intrinsic nature provide a promising approach to the decomposition problem which is currently a significant challenge to pan/cosmopsychist theories.