From Consciousness to God
Ståle Gundersen
Sophia August 26, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s11841-025-01079-5 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the argument from consciousness—which claims only theism can explain why consciousness exists—faces serious problems, and concludes that consciousness is most likely a brute fact that does not raise the probability of theism. |
Abstract
Conscious states are characterized by their phenomenal feel; it is like something to experience pain, see the color red, or hear a particular sound. The version of the argument from consciousness that will be discussed in the present paper states that only theism, the postulation of a transcendent God, can explain why consciousness exists in the universe. The argument from consciousness thus takes the very existence of consciousness in the universe as a starting point and concludes that there is a transcendent God. First, a detailed description of AC is provided. Next, some problems with the argument from consciousness are pointed out, and the conclusion is that consciousness is most likely a brute fact—an unexplainable phenomenon that does not raise the probability of theism.
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- The Argument from Consciousness Revisited Oxford University Press eBooks February 1, 2011
- Zombies, Epiphenomenalism and Personal Explanations: A Tension in Moreland's Argument from Consciousness European Journal for Philosophy of Religion September 23, 2011
- Arguing to Theism from Consciousness Faith and Philosophy July 1, 2020