Non-mechanistic theories of consciousness

Science and Nescience, Volume 2, Number 1

1 January 1994

Akshay Chenna:05-08-2018
 Modern science
attempts (fails) to
explain consciousness
Science, 2006

Reductionist approach:
“That any complex
phenomenon can be
explained in more simpler
or more fundamental
phenomenon”
 Mechanistic approach

can be adequately characterised by a mathematical descriptio

• Radical behaviourism
• Logical behaviourism
• Functionalism

• Sentient being characterised by a computer code.

• Framework for AI research.

• Cannot explain consciousness because coding says

nothing about conscious experience.
Non-mechanistic alternatives
— consciousness is granted a real existence

Identity theory:
• Conscious and mental phenomenon are real.
• Mental and neural events are the same, both physical.

Dual aspect theory:

• One substance has both physical and psychological aspects.
• Physical objects are considered sentient (panpsychism).
Psychophysical parallelism:
• Consciousness and material phenomena are real.
• Correlated with one another in a one-to-one fashion, without
any casual connection.
Assumptions
• Posit a direct one-to-one correspondence between the
contents of consciousness and material phenomenon.

Identical Aspects or something else Run in parallel

Features of one-to-one correspondence

1.Physical brain functions and conscious experience must

be linked.
2.High powers of discrimination.
3.Must be capable of modifying the contents of conscious
experience.
 Failure
Unable to explain how certain natural phenomena are
distinct from the neural interactions of the brain.

• 1,3 now fail to fit into the modern scientific thought.

• 2 fails since it assumes that underlying substance is

co-extensive with matter.
Alternate theory
Idealism: Only conscious minds have actual existence.
Physical objects are mental perceptions.

Also fails because neutrons are mental perceptions of our own

 Interactionism Epiphenomenalism

Conscious self is an entity distinct from the body.

s entity can be influenced by the physical phenomenon of the bra

• Allows consciousness to
• Does not allow this.
influence the body.
• Exerts its will on the body • The self is merely a passive
by inducing changes in the spectator.
neural activity.
• 1-3 indicate an • “The brain secretes thought
transphysical entity or a just as the liver secrets bile”.
process.
 Conclusion
• Most non mechanistic
theories try to fit their
models in the known laws
of physics.

• Mechanistic models fail to

address issues such as
purpose and personal
values.

• Don’t include a sense of

personality.

• No space for free will.

o learn about the soul, one must submissively hear from a bonafi