Merging the Philosophical and Scientific Studies of Consciousness

Abstract

The philosophical and scientific studies of consciousness are two disciplines having much to learn from one another. On the one hand, a science of consciousness involves taking an objective approach to what is essentially a subjective phenomenon, giving rise to tricky conceptual and methodological issues, ones an analytic philosopher is perhaps best equipped to handle. On the other hand, a wealth of data now exists concerning the neural basis of consciousness. Such data, interpreted properly, can confirm or disconfirm philosophical views on consciousness, helping adjudicate debates thus far intractable. This dissertation explores some ways in which the philosophy and science of consciousness can be of mutual benefit to one another.