The Science of Sirens

This chapter examines how illusionism—the view that phenomenal consciousness is an illusion—affects the science of consciousness. It rejects two extreme positions: that illusionism renders consciousness science pointless, and that it leaves the field unchanged. Instead, the chapter argues that illusionism has substantive implications by challenging implicit assumptions about the unity, determinacy, and informativeness of consciousness. It contends that the concept of a paradigm shift helps clarify the opposition between realism and illusionism about phenomenal consciousness.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract This chapter examines illusionism’s implications for the science of consciousness. It presents current debates within the science of consciousness and oppositions between the main scientific theories of consciousness. It argues against two radical interpretations of illusionism’s implications: one on which illusionism makes all of consciousness science moot, and one on which it leaves it untouched. The chapter shows why illusionism has non-trivial and non-simplistic implications for consciousness science, notably as it challenges various key implicit assumptions at play in much of consciousness science, regarding the unity and determinacy of consciousness, as well as regarding the informative character of consciousness-related claims. Finally, the chapter argues that the concept of paradigm shift illuminates the opposition between realism and illusionism about phenomenal consciousness.