An Ontology of Consciousness

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Metaphysics
Cover of the book An Ontology of Consciousness by R. Ellis, Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: R. Ellis ISBN: 9789401707152
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: March 9, 2013
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: R. Ellis
ISBN: 9789401707152
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: March 9, 2013
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

The object of this study is to find a coherent theoretical approach to three problems which appear to interrelate in complex ways: (1) What is the ontological status of consciousness? (2) How can there be 'un­ conscious,' 'prereflective' or 'self-alienated' consciousness? And (3) Is there a 'self' or 'ego' formed by means of the interrelation of more elementary states of consciousness? The motivation for combining such a diversity of difficult questions is that we often learn more by looking at interrelations of problems than we could by viewing them only in isola­ tion. The three questions posed here have emerged as especially prob­ lematic in the context of twentieth century philosophy. 1. The question of the ontological status of consciousness The question 'What is consciousness?' is one of the most perplexing in philosophy-so perplexing that many have been motivated to proceed as though consciousness did not exist. If William James was speaking rhetorically when he said "Consciousness does not exist," 1 many behaviorists of the recent past were not. 2 James meant only to imply that consciousness is not an independently existing soul-substance, along­ side physical substances. He did not mean that we do not really 'have' consciousness, and he did not provide final resolution for the problem of the causal interrelations between consciousness and the physical realm (e. g. , our bodies). Many recent philosophers and psychologists, however, try to proceed as though these problems did not exist.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The object of this study is to find a coherent theoretical approach to three problems which appear to interrelate in complex ways: (1) What is the ontological status of consciousness? (2) How can there be 'un­ conscious,' 'prereflective' or 'self-alienated' consciousness? And (3) Is there a 'self' or 'ego' formed by means of the interrelation of more elementary states of consciousness? The motivation for combining such a diversity of difficult questions is that we often learn more by looking at interrelations of problems than we could by viewing them only in isola­ tion. The three questions posed here have emerged as especially prob­ lematic in the context of twentieth century philosophy. 1. The question of the ontological status of consciousness The question 'What is consciousness?' is one of the most perplexing in philosophy-so perplexing that many have been motivated to proceed as though consciousness did not exist. If William James was speaking rhetorically when he said "Consciousness does not exist," 1 many behaviorists of the recent past were not. 2 James meant only to imply that consciousness is not an independently existing soul-substance, along­ side physical substances. He did not mean that we do not really 'have' consciousness, and he did not provide final resolution for the problem of the causal interrelations between consciousness and the physical realm (e. g. , our bodies). Many recent philosophers and psychologists, however, try to proceed as though these problems did not exist.

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book Variation-Aware Advanced CMOS Devices and SRAM by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Dietary Phytochemicals and Microbes by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Petroleum Exploration: A Quantitative Introduction by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Advances in Mitochondrial Medicine by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Social Issues in Sustainable Fisheries Management by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Pneumatic Conveying of Solids by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Environmental Hydrology by R. Ellis
Cover of the book The Higher Education Managerial Revolution? by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Network-on-Chip Architectures by R. Ellis
Cover of the book The Geography of Wine by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Geographical Dimensions of Energy by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Ecological Restoration of Aquatic and Semi-Aquatic Ecosystems in the Netherlands (NW Europe) by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Is Crohn’s Disease a Mycobacterial Disease? by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Decisions to Have Children in Late 20th and Early 21st Century Australia by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Bioavailability of Organic Xenobiotics in the Environment by R. Ellis
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy