The ontology of interoceptive sensations in the focus of modern philosophy of mind and empirical data of cognitive science
M. Atakuev
Philosophy of Science and Technology January 19, 2025 DOI: 10.21146/2413-9084-2025-30-1-7-20 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Key points | Argues that interoception is not merely physiological but has a qualitative, phenomenal character belonging to subjective first-person experience, and proposes that the concepts of interoception and qualia are interrelated and complementary within phenomenal consciousness. |
Abstract
The article is focused on ontological issues related to inner-body sensations in the context of cognitive sciences and modern philosophy of mind. Initially, the concept of interoception was limited to physiological processes and reactions associated with internal organs. Nevertheless, further developments in cognitive science led to a reassessment of the role of bodily characteristics in cognitive activity, which facilitated the exploration of interoception in various discourses. Within contemporary theories of cognitive science (such as “embodied cognition”, “predictive processing”), interoception is an important component of high-level mental activity. The article also discusses methodological and philosophical aspects of interoception, including the relationship between physiological processes and psychological factors in the perception of inner-body sensations. As a result, the specific experience of interoception is analyzed in the context of the phenomenal aspects of consciousness. This study compares the qualitative aspects of interoception and exteroception experience. The uncertain ontological status of interoceptive sensations stimulates their discussion within debates about the nature of qualia. In this article, arguments are also presented in favor of the interrelation and complementarity of the concepts of interoception and qualia in the context of phenomenal consciousness, leading to the conclusion of the qualitative nature of interoception within the realm of subjective first-person experience.
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