The Function of Consciousness
Noûs September 1, 1996 DOI: 10.2307/2216271 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 46 |
| Key points | Argues that the common assumption among philosophers and psychologists that the function of consciousness is obvious and admits no serious disagreement is misguided, resting on a failure to fully grasp what is at issue. Proposes that answers to questions about the biological purpose and function of consciousness are available and become obvious once a certain theoretical framework is adopted. |
Abstract
To many philosophers, it is a remarkable fact there is any such thing as consciousness. Typically, this attitude stems from a sense of bewilderment as to how consciousness could be generated in the brain. But it is also hard to fathom why Mother Nature went to the trouble of installing consciousness in so many of her creatures. What was consciousness selected for? What biological purpose or function does it serve? Not everyone finds these questions puzzling. To some philosophers and psychologists, it is obvious in what the function of consciousness consists: there really is no room for serious disagreement.1 Arguments about the matter are just so much spilt ink. This unqualified assessment is jejune. It rests upon a failure to grasp fully what is at issue. Even so, in my view, answers are available for the above questions, and these answers are obvious, once a certain theoretical framework is adopted. The purpose of this paper is to clarify what seems to me the main focus of the present debate, and to explain in what I take the function, or at least a function, of consciousness to consist. Along the way, I shall comment upon, and criticize, some of the opposing positions.