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 The Dynamic Body Tissues by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Myocardial Damage by R. Ellis
Cover of the book The Clinical Encounter by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Phenomenological Psychology by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Local Environmental Change and Society in Africa by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Stereoscopic acuity in ocular pursuit of moving objects by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Philosophy of Chemistry by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Why Teach Mathematics? by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Tetraspanins by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Gravity, a Geometrical Course by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Models of the History of Philosophy by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Transactional Perspectives on Occupation by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Rational Reconstructions of Modern Physics by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Prolactinomas and Pregnancy by R. Ellis
Cover of the book Designing and Conducting a Forest Inventory - case: 9th National Forest Inventory of Finland 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