Bridging the Philosophical Problem of Consciousness and Psychological Research: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Understanding Subjective Experience

Abstract

The nature of consciousness remains one of the most enduring and challenging questions in philosophy and cognitive science. While philosophy of mind has developed rich conceptual frameworks to understand subjective experience, empirical disciplines such as psychology and neuroscience attempt to investigate consciousness through experimental and observational methods. Despite substantial progress in both fields, a persistent gap remains between philosophical explanation and empirical investigation. This paper explores the relationship between philosophical theories of consciousness and psychological research methodologies. It argues that an interdisciplinary approach integrating philosophical reflection with empirical psychological methods can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of subjective experience. By analysing key philosophical perspectives and contemporary psychological models of consciousness, the paper proposes that collaborative dialogue between these disciplines may help bridge the explanatory gap in consciousness studies.