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Torin Alter makes a compelling case against the view that consciousness is a physical phenomenon. He argues that Frank Jackson's knowledge argument refutes all standard versions of physicalism, and leads to Russellian monism - the view there are intrinsic properties which both constitute consciousness and underlie properties described by physics.
List of contents
- Part I: The case for the epistemic gap
- 1: Introduction
- 2: The significance of structure
- 3: Structure, physical knowledge, and ignorance
- 4: Phenomenal knowledge without experience
- 5: Non-propositional phenomenal knowledge
- 6: Phenomenal representation
- Part II: The case for the modal gap
- 7: Deduction and necessity
- 8: Epistemic-modal bridge principles
- 9: The phenomenal concept strategy and Chalmers's dilemma
- 10: Consequences of social externalism
- 11: The conditional analysis of phenomenal concepts
- Part III: The case for the ontological gap
- 12: The supervenience requirement on physicalism
- 13: Two final objections
- 14: Two final objections
- 15: The knowledge argument, Russellian monism, and causal integration
- Conclusion
About the author
Torin Alter is Professor of Philosophy at The University of Alabama, USA. He is author of articles in Mind, Philosophical Studies, and elsewhere; co-author of A Dialogue on Consciousness and The God Dialogues: A Philosophical Journey (both OUP); and co-editor of Consciousness and the Mind-Body Problem: A Reader and Phenomenal Concepts and Phenomenal Knowledge: New Essays on Consciousness and Physicalism (both OUP).
Summary
Torin Alter makes a compelling case against the view that consciousness is a physical phenomenon. He argues that Frank Jackson's knowledge argument refutes all standard versions of physicalism, and leads to Russellian monism - the view there are intrinsic properties which both constitute consciousness and underlie properties described by physics.
Additional text
The Matter of Consciousness is a thorough and comprehensive treatment of the knowledge argument, one of the most compelling and influential arguments against physicalism about consciousness. Torin Alter's treatment of this argument and the objections that have been raised against it is unsurpassed in quality and clarity. This book is essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the contemporary case against physicalism about the mind.
