Phenomenology and the Physical Reality of Consciousness (Advances in Consciousness Research)

The predominant positive view among philosophers and scientists alike is that consciousness is something realized in brain activity. This view, however, largely fails to capture what consciousness is like according to how it shows itself to conscious beings. What this work proposes instead is that consciousness is a phenomenon that exists in and throughout the body. Apart from whether or not it involves intentionality and apart from whether or not it involves awareness of the self, consciousness is self-intimating, self-revealing, self-disclosing. Self-disclosure is the definitive phenomenological character of consciousness in all its forms. Taking this stance as a point of departure, the book presents a specific account of what bodily field phenomenon consciousness is. In this way, the current stalemate in philosophy over the question of the physical reality of consciousness is broken. Series A The Material Nature Of Consciousness -- The Metaphysical And Empirical Status Of Consciousness -- Consciousness And Temporality -- Qualia : The Case Of Color -- Conscious Sensation -- Perceptual Intentionality -- Perception, The World, And The Subject -- The Intentionality Of Thoughts -- Thought, The World, And The Thinking Subject. Arthur Melnick. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. pt. 1. Consciousness per se -- pt. 2. Sensory consciousness -- pt. 3. Perceptual consciousness -- pt. 4. Thinking consciousness.