What Is Consciousness?
July 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1201/9781003758389-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that consciousness remains a scientific and philosophical mystery, distinguished by the 'hard problem' of subjective experience. Proposes a framework to navigate metaphysical positions and levels of consciousness, and contends that ethical considerations of machine consciousness, such as 'mind crime', require careful evaluation. |
Abstract
This chapter explores the scientific and philosophical mystery of consciousness, providing a framework for understanding how we define and study subjective experience. It begins by examining why a consensus on consciousness remains elusive, distinguishing between the “easy problems” of neural mechanics and the “hard problem” of why we have internal experiences at all. The discussion traces the evolution of these ideas from ancient South Asian, Chinese, and Greek traditions through to modern neuroscientific theories like global workspace theory and integrated information theory. Readers will gain a “map” to navigate complex metaphysical positions – ranging from dualism to physicalism and illusionism – while learning to disentangle the critical differences between consciousness and intelligence. The chapter also categorises different levels of consciousness, from basic perception to self-reflection and theory of mind. Ultimately, the text addresses the urgent ethical implications of machine consciousness, offering readers the tools to evaluate the possibilities of “mind crime” and the moral standing of artificial systems.