Introspection and Consciousness

Introspection and Consciousness

Author: Declan Smithies

Publisher: OUP USA

Published: 2012-07-11

Total Pages: 436

ISBN-13: 0199744793

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The topic of introspection stands at the interface between questions in epistemology about the nature of self-knowledge and questions in the philosophy of mind about the nature of consciousness. What is the nature of introspection such that it provides us with a distinctive way of knowing about our own conscious mental states? And what is the nature of consciousness such that we can know about our own conscious mental states by introspection? How should we understand the relationship between consciousness and introspective self-knowledge? Should we explain consciousness in terms of introspective self-knowledge or vice versa? Until recently, questions in epistemology and the philosophy of mind were pursued largely in isolation from one another. This volume aims to integrate these two lines of research by bringing together fourteen new essays and one reprinted essay on the relationship between introspection, self-knowledge, and consciousness.


Book Synopsis Introspection and Consciousness by : Declan Smithies

Download or read book Introspection and Consciousness written by Declan Smithies and published by OUP USA. This book was released on 2012-07-11 with total page 436 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The topic of introspection stands at the interface between questions in epistemology about the nature of self-knowledge and questions in the philosophy of mind about the nature of consciousness. What is the nature of introspection such that it provides us with a distinctive way of knowing about our own conscious mental states? And what is the nature of consciousness such that we can know about our own conscious mental states by introspection? How should we understand the relationship between consciousness and introspective self-knowledge? Should we explain consciousness in terms of introspective self-knowledge or vice versa? Until recently, questions in epistemology and the philosophy of mind were pursued largely in isolation from one another. This volume aims to integrate these two lines of research by bringing together fourteen new essays and one reprinted essay on the relationship between introspection, self-knowledge, and consciousness.

Perplexities of Consciousness

Perplexities of Consciousness

Author: Eric Schwitzgebel

Publisher: MIT Press

Published: 2011-01-28

Total Pages: 238

ISBN-13: 0262295083

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

A philosopher argues that we know little about our own inner lives. Do you dream in color? If you answer Yes, how can you be sure? Before you recount your vivid memory of a dream featuring all the colors of the rainbow, consider that in the 1950s researchers found that most people reported dreaming in black and white. In the 1960s, when most movies were in color and more people had color television sets, the vast majority of reported dreams contained color. The most likely explanation for this, according to the philosopher Eric Schwitzgebel, is not that exposure to black-and-white media made people misremember their dreams. It is that we simply don't know whether or not we dream in color. In Perplexities of Consciousness, Schwitzgebel examines various aspects of inner life (dreams, mental imagery, emotions, and other subjective phenomena) and argues that we know very little about our stream of conscious experience. Drawing broadly from historical and recent philosophy and psychology to examine such topics as visual perspective, and the unreliability of introspection, Schwitzgebel finds us singularly inept in our judgments about conscious experience.


Book Synopsis Perplexities of Consciousness by : Eric Schwitzgebel

Download or read book Perplexities of Consciousness written by Eric Schwitzgebel and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 2011-01-28 with total page 238 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A philosopher argues that we know little about our own inner lives. Do you dream in color? If you answer Yes, how can you be sure? Before you recount your vivid memory of a dream featuring all the colors of the rainbow, consider that in the 1950s researchers found that most people reported dreaming in black and white. In the 1960s, when most movies were in color and more people had color television sets, the vast majority of reported dreams contained color. The most likely explanation for this, according to the philosopher Eric Schwitzgebel, is not that exposure to black-and-white media made people misremember their dreams. It is that we simply don't know whether or not we dream in color. In Perplexities of Consciousness, Schwitzgebel examines various aspects of inner life (dreams, mental imagery, emotions, and other subjective phenomena) and argues that we know very little about our stream of conscious experience. Drawing broadly from historical and recent philosophy and psychology to examine such topics as visual perspective, and the unreliability of introspection, Schwitzgebel finds us singularly inept in our judgments about conscious experience.

The Epistemic Role of Consciousness

The Epistemic Role of Consciousness

Author: Declan Smithies

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2019-08-02

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 0199917671

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

What is the role of consciousness in our mental lives? Declan Smithies argues here that consciousness is essential to explaining how we can acquire knowledge and justified belief about ourselves and the world around us. On this view, unconscious beings cannot form justified beliefs and so they cannot know anything at all. Consciousness is the ultimate basis of all knowledge and epistemic justification. Smithies builds a sustained argument for the epistemic role of phenomenal consciousness which draws on a range of considerations in epistemology and the philosophy of mind. His position combines two key claims. The first is phenomenal mentalism, which says that epistemic justification is determined by the phenomenally individuated facts about your mental states. The second is accessibilism, which says that epistemic justification is luminously accessible in the sense that you're always in a position to know which beliefs you have epistemic justification to hold. Smithies integrates these two claims into a unified theory of epistemic justification, which he calls phenomenal accessibilism. The book is divided into two parts, which converge on this theory of epistemic justification from opposite directions. Part 1 argues from the bottom up by drawing on considerations in the philosophy of mind about the role of consciousness in mental representation, perception, cognition, and introspection. Part 2 argues from the top down by arguing from general principles in epistemology about the nature of epistemic justification. These mutually reinforcing arguments form the basis for a unified theory of the epistemic role of phenomenal consciousness, one that bridges the gap between epistemology and philosophy of mind.


Book Synopsis The Epistemic Role of Consciousness by : Declan Smithies

Download or read book The Epistemic Role of Consciousness written by Declan Smithies and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2019-08-02 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What is the role of consciousness in our mental lives? Declan Smithies argues here that consciousness is essential to explaining how we can acquire knowledge and justified belief about ourselves and the world around us. On this view, unconscious beings cannot form justified beliefs and so they cannot know anything at all. Consciousness is the ultimate basis of all knowledge and epistemic justification. Smithies builds a sustained argument for the epistemic role of phenomenal consciousness which draws on a range of considerations in epistemology and the philosophy of mind. His position combines two key claims. The first is phenomenal mentalism, which says that epistemic justification is determined by the phenomenally individuated facts about your mental states. The second is accessibilism, which says that epistemic justification is luminously accessible in the sense that you're always in a position to know which beliefs you have epistemic justification to hold. Smithies integrates these two claims into a unified theory of epistemic justification, which he calls phenomenal accessibilism. The book is divided into two parts, which converge on this theory of epistemic justification from opposite directions. Part 1 argues from the bottom up by drawing on considerations in the philosophy of mind about the role of consciousness in mental representation, perception, cognition, and introspection. Part 2 argues from the top down by arguing from general principles in epistemology about the nature of epistemic justification. These mutually reinforcing arguments form the basis for a unified theory of the epistemic role of phenomenal consciousness, one that bridges the gap between epistemology and philosophy of mind.

The Oxford Handbook of the Philosophy of Consciousness

The Oxford Handbook of the Philosophy of Consciousness

Author: Uriah Kriegel

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2020-06-10

Total Pages: 711

ISBN-13: 0198749678

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The Oxford Handbook of the Philosophy of Consciousness provides the most comprehensive overview of current philosophical research on consciousness. Featuring contributions from some of the most prominent experts in the field, it explores the wide range of types of consciousness there may be, the many psychological phenomena with which consciousness interacts, and the various views concerning the ultimate relationship between consciousness and physical reality. It is an essential and authoritative resource for anyone working in philosophy of mind or interested in states of consciousness.


Book Synopsis The Oxford Handbook of the Philosophy of Consciousness by : Uriah Kriegel

Download or read book The Oxford Handbook of the Philosophy of Consciousness written by Uriah Kriegel and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2020-06-10 with total page 711 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Oxford Handbook of the Philosophy of Consciousness provides the most comprehensive overview of current philosophical research on consciousness. Featuring contributions from some of the most prominent experts in the field, it explores the wide range of types of consciousness there may be, the many psychological phenomena with which consciousness interacts, and the various views concerning the ultimate relationship between consciousness and physical reality. It is an essential and authoritative resource for anyone working in philosophy of mind or interested in states of consciousness.

Trusting the Subject?

Trusting the Subject?

Author: Anthony Jack

Publisher: Imprint Academic

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 214

ISBN-13: 9780907845560

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Introspective evidence is still treated with great suspicion in cognitive science. This work is designed to encourage cognitive scientists to take more account of the subject's unique perspective.


Book Synopsis Trusting the Subject? by : Anthony Jack

Download or read book Trusting the Subject? written by Anthony Jack and published by Imprint Academic. This book was released on 2003 with total page 214 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Introspective evidence is still treated with great suspicion in cognitive science. This work is designed to encourage cognitive scientists to take more account of the subject's unique perspective.

Looking In and Speaking Out

Looking In and Speaking Out

Author: Robin Wooffitt

Publisher: Andrews UK Limited

Published: 2011-11-23

Total Pages: 322

ISBN-13: 1845403347

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book argues that it is essential to examine the linguistic and communicative practices that are used in the production of introspective data, thereby making an important contribution to debates about how we may study experience that are relevant to a wide range of disciplines. There are three objectives. The text offers an account of the way in which contemporary researchers are employing introspection methodologies; it argues for the importance of viewing introspective data as discourse, and illustrates this via discussion of research findings in four substantive chapters; and it outlines new directions for research and theorising on introspection and consciousness which will have implications for a range of psychological and social science disciplines.


Book Synopsis Looking In and Speaking Out by : Robin Wooffitt

Download or read book Looking In and Speaking Out written by Robin Wooffitt and published by Andrews UK Limited. This book was released on 2011-11-23 with total page 322 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book argues that it is essential to examine the linguistic and communicative practices that are used in the production of introspective data, thereby making an important contribution to debates about how we may study experience that are relevant to a wide range of disciplines. There are three objectives. The text offers an account of the way in which contemporary researchers are employing introspection methodologies; it argues for the importance of viewing introspective data as discourse, and illustrates this via discussion of research findings in four substantive chapters; and it outlines new directions for research and theorising on introspection and consciousness which will have implications for a range of psychological and social science disciplines.

Rethinking Introspection

Rethinking Introspection

Author: J. Butler

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2013-05-20

Total Pages: 308

ISBN-13: 1137280387

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Offering a pluralist framework for understanding the nature, scope, and limits of self-knowledge from the first-person perspective, Rethinking Introspection argues that, contrary to common misconceptions, introspection does not operate through inner perception but rather develops out of a diverse array of mental states and cognitive processes.


Book Synopsis Rethinking Introspection by : J. Butler

Download or read book Rethinking Introspection written by J. Butler and published by Springer. This book was released on 2013-05-20 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Offering a pluralist framework for understanding the nature, scope, and limits of self-knowledge from the first-person perspective, Rethinking Introspection argues that, contrary to common misconceptions, introspection does not operate through inner perception but rather develops out of a diverse array of mental states and cognitive processes.

How and why Thoughts Change

How and why Thoughts Change

Author: Ian M. Evans

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 0199380848

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Cognitive therapy, a core approach within a collection of psychotherapeutic techniques known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is fundamentally about changing peoples' thoughts-helping them overcome difficulties by recognizing and changing dysfunctional thinking styles. Among other strategies, it requires encouraging the development of skills for rehearsing new habits of thought, modifying biases in judging and interpreting social and emotional information, and for testing assumptions underlying dysfunctional and negative, distorted thinking. In How and Why Thoughts Change, Dr. Ian Evans.520 In the 21st century, the concept of ethics may seem outdated or obsolete. But in reality, ethics is the omnipresent, ongoing discussion going on in our global communities today. Systematically, people condemn, sanction, demonize, and freely judge one another. As a result, by addressing the simplest of questions ("), laws are legislated and the moral code is created. But what is morality, exactly? And how does the moral code shape the story of our lives? Written from the perspective of a social psychologist, The Psychology of Good and Evil explores the answers to these big questions in fascinating detail, all while illuminating the inner workings of the human mind, human nature, and the foundations of our beliefs. -- Provided by publisher.


Book Synopsis How and why Thoughts Change by : Ian M. Evans

Download or read book How and why Thoughts Change written by Ian M. Evans and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2015 with total page 273 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Cognitive therapy, a core approach within a collection of psychotherapeutic techniques known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is fundamentally about changing peoples' thoughts-helping them overcome difficulties by recognizing and changing dysfunctional thinking styles. Among other strategies, it requires encouraging the development of skills for rehearsing new habits of thought, modifying biases in judging and interpreting social and emotional information, and for testing assumptions underlying dysfunctional and negative, distorted thinking. In How and Why Thoughts Change, Dr. Ian Evans.520 In the 21st century, the concept of ethics may seem outdated or obsolete. But in reality, ethics is the omnipresent, ongoing discussion going on in our global communities today. Systematically, people condemn, sanction, demonize, and freely judge one another. As a result, by addressing the simplest of questions ("), laws are legislated and the moral code is created. But what is morality, exactly? And how does the moral code shape the story of our lives? Written from the perspective of a social psychologist, The Psychology of Good and Evil explores the answers to these big questions in fascinating detail, all while illuminating the inner workings of the human mind, human nature, and the foundations of our beliefs. -- Provided by publisher.

Consciousness

Consciousness

Author: Christopher S. Hill

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2009-10-22

Total Pages: 275

ISBN-13: 052111022X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book identifies all of the main forms of consciousness and proposes an account of each of them.


Book Synopsis Consciousness by : Christopher S. Hill

Download or read book Consciousness written by Christopher S. Hill and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2009-10-22 with total page 275 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book identifies all of the main forms of consciousness and proposes an account of each of them.

The Significance of Consciousness

The Significance of Consciousness

Author: Charles Siewert

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 1998-07-27

Total Pages: 385

ISBN-13: 1400822726

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Charles Siewert presents a distinctive approach to consciousness that emphasizes our first-person knowledge of experience and argues that we should grant consciousness, understood in this way, a central place in our conception of mind and intentionality. Written in an engaging manner that makes its recently controversial topic accessible to the thoughtful general reader, this book challenges theories that equate consciousness with a functional role or with the mere availability of sensory information to cognitive capacities. Siewert argues that the notion of phenomenal consciousness, slighted in some recent theories, can be made evident by noting our reliance on first-person knowledge and by considering, from the subject's point of view, the difference between having and lacking certain kinds of experience. This contrast is clarified by careful attention to cases, both actual and hypothetical, indicated by research on brain-damaged patients' ability to discriminate visually without conscious visual experience--what has become known as "blindsight." In addition, Siewert convincingly defends such approaches against objections that they make an illegitimate appeal to "introspection." Experiences that are conscious in Siewert's sense differ from each other in ways that only what is conscious can--in phenomenal character--and having this character gives them intentionality. In Siewert's view, consciousness is involved not only in the intentionality of sense experience and imagery, but in that of nonimagistic ways of thinking as well. Consciousness is pervasively bound up with intelligent perception and conceptual thought: it is not mere sensation or "raw feel." Having thus understood consciousness, we can better recognize how, for many of us, it possesses such deep intrinsic value that life without it would be little or no better than death.


Book Synopsis The Significance of Consciousness by : Charles Siewert

Download or read book The Significance of Consciousness written by Charles Siewert and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 1998-07-27 with total page 385 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Charles Siewert presents a distinctive approach to consciousness that emphasizes our first-person knowledge of experience and argues that we should grant consciousness, understood in this way, a central place in our conception of mind and intentionality. Written in an engaging manner that makes its recently controversial topic accessible to the thoughtful general reader, this book challenges theories that equate consciousness with a functional role or with the mere availability of sensory information to cognitive capacities. Siewert argues that the notion of phenomenal consciousness, slighted in some recent theories, can be made evident by noting our reliance on first-person knowledge and by considering, from the subject's point of view, the difference between having and lacking certain kinds of experience. This contrast is clarified by careful attention to cases, both actual and hypothetical, indicated by research on brain-damaged patients' ability to discriminate visually without conscious visual experience--what has become known as "blindsight." In addition, Siewert convincingly defends such approaches against objections that they make an illegitimate appeal to "introspection." Experiences that are conscious in Siewert's sense differ from each other in ways that only what is conscious can--in phenomenal character--and having this character gives them intentionality. In Siewert's view, consciousness is involved not only in the intentionality of sense experience and imagery, but in that of nonimagistic ways of thinking as well. Consciousness is pervasively bound up with intelligent perception and conceptual thought: it is not mere sensation or "raw feel." Having thus understood consciousness, we can better recognize how, for many of us, it possesses such deep intrinsic value that life without it would be little or no better than death.