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The Necessity for Developing Skill at Mind-Process Observation, and a Suggested Methodology

Copthorne Macdonald

Activitas Nervosa Superior September 1, 2010 DOI: 10.1007/bf03379576 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Citations 3
Key points Argues that the lack of training in introspection since the fall of introspectionism leaves consciousness researchers without the observational clarity needed to map physical-mental correlations.

Abstract

Abstract Ever since introspectionism was abandoned early in this century, the scientific community has shown little interest in training people to observe the functioning of their own minds with greater than ordinary clarity. Thus, despite advanced academic training and much knowledge about physical phenomena and processes, few consciousness theorists or experimentalists have any special expertise at closely observing mental artifacts and processes. Without observational clarity about the mental, how is that web of physical/mental correlations going to be mapped?