The Conscious Theory of Higher-Orderness
September 17, 2024 DOI: 10.1093/9780198924159.003.0012 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Subject documents Consciousness Mental state Order exchange State computer science Epistemology Cognitive science |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key points | Argues that higher-order theories of consciousness should be rejected in favor of 'The Ascending Road', which holds that awareness of a mental state arises because that state is conscious, not the reverse. |
Abstract
Abstract The massive debate in philosophy and psychology and neuroscience about higher-order theories of consciousness has not adequately distinguished between the following two claims: (i) (Necessary Awareness): For any conscious mental state M and subject S, if S is in M, then S is aware of M; and (ii) (The Higher-Order Theory): For any conscious mental state M and subject S, if S is in M, then M is conscious because S is aware of M. While the chapter will assume that the first claim is true, it will argue that we should reject higher-order theories of consciousness. We should turn them on their head to go with the following theory: (The Ascending Road): For any conscious mental state M and subject S, if S is in M, then S is aware of M because M is conscious.
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- Against the intrinsic epistemicity of experience Philosophical Explorations September 4, 2026
- Constructing a Scientific Theory of Phenomenal Consciousness Consciousness as Representing One's Mind July 1, 2025
- Metacognition in Aphantasia: Taking the "conscious" view seriously. Neuropsychologia January 30, 2026
- HOROR in the Brain Consciousness as Representing One's Mind July 1, 2025
- Non-Relational Versions of Traditional Higher-Order Theories Consciousness as Representing One's Mind July 1, 2025
and 4 more in the library
Cites 13
- Consciousness, accessibility, and the mesh between psychology and neuroscience. Behavioral and Brain Sciences December 1, 2007
- Theories of consciousness. Nature Reviews Neuroscience July 1, 2022
- Phenomenal Consciousness Cambridge University Press eBooks September 28, 2000
- The Epistemic Role of Consciousness Philosophy and Phenomenological Research August 2, 2019
- The Oxford Handbook of the Philosophy of Consciousness Oxford University Press eBooks July 9, 2020
and 8 more in the library