Identity, consciousness and value

Peter Unger

Oxford, 1990

Abstract

This book provides a comprehensive and novel theory of consciousness. In clear and non-technical language, Christopher Hill provides interrelated accounts of six main forms of consciousness - agent consciousness, propositional consciousness (consciousness that), introspective consciousness, relational consciousness (consciousness of), experiential consciousness, and phenomenal consciousness. He develops the representational theory of mind in new directions, showing in detail how it can be used to undercut dualistic accounts of mental states. In addition he offers original and stimulating discussions of a range of psychological phenomena, including visual awareness, pain, emotional qualia, and introspection. His important book will interest a wide readership of students and scholars in philosophy of mind and cognitive science"–Provided by publisher. Summary: “This book provides a comprehensive and novel theory of consciousness. In clear and non-technical language, Christopher Hill provides interrelated accounts of six main forms of consciousness - agent consciousness, propositional consciousness (consciousness that), introspective consciousness, relational consciousness (consciousness of), experiential consciousness, and phenomenal consciousness. He develops the representational theory of mind in new directions, showing in detail how it can be used to undercut dualistic accounts of mental states. In addition he offers original and stimulating discussions of a range of psychological phenomena, including visual awareness, pain, emotional qualia, and introspection. His important book will interest a wide readership of students and scholars in philosophy of mind and cognitive science. - Provides a comprehensive theory of consciousness, identifying all of the main forms of consciousness and proposing an account for each of them - Develops the representational theory of mind in a unique way, providing a new insight for the reader - Offers detailed accounts of three types of phenomenology: visual phenomenology, somatic phenomenology and emotional phenomenology, ideal for those wishing to study this subject in depth Contents 1. Form of consciousness; 2. Theories of qualia; 3. Awareness, representation, and experience; 4. The refutation of dualism; 5. Visual awareness and visual qualia; 6. Ouch! The paradox of pain; 7. Internal weather: the metaphysics of emotional qualia; 8. Introspection and consciousness; 9. A summary, two supplements, and a look beyond.

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Quotes from this work

By the end of this book, if not before, you may come to have a fuller appreciation of some of your central beliefs about yourself, and some of your related attitudes. In particular, you may come to realize more fully that, even as you yourself most deeply believe, after several more decades at most, you will cease to exist, completely and forever. In the light of this awareness, and according to your deepest values, perhaps you will make the most of your quite limited existence.

mortality
p. 3