Qualities of Consciousness: A Panpsychist Analysis

Abstract

The question “What is consciousness?” is one of the oldest and most challenging problems in human thought. The attempt to understand consciousness, which stands at the center of humanity’s existential quest, has given rise to various intellectual traditions throughout history. In this context, panpsychism appears as one of the most deeply rooted approaches within the philosophy of mind. The fundamental principle of this approach is that not only human beings but all entities—whether living or non-living— possess consciousness, even at the most basic level. Although panpsychism has become the focus of criticism because of this claim, the arguments it develops and the strength of its theoretical foundations have led many scholars to regard it as one of the key frameworks for understanding consciousness. For this reason, the present study investigates whether there exists a latent element within panpsychist theory that could guide future theories of consciousness. In the research, the views of thinkers who have reflected on panpsychism were examined using the Grounded Theory method. The obtained data were subjected to conceptual and categorical coding, and efforts were made to identify the open, selective, and theoretical codes associated with panpsychism. The main objective of the study is to examine the nature of the panpsychist consciousness attributed to objects and inanimate entities. Within this framework, the research is expected to contribute, at a theoretical level, to discussions concerning conscious artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and quantum consciousness.