How can we construct a science of consciousness?
This chapter gives an overview of the projects facing a science of consciousness. Such a science must integrate third-person data about behavior and brain processes with first-person data about conscious experience. Empirical projects for integrating these data include those of contrasting conscious and unconscious processes, investigating the contents of consciousness, finding neural correlates of consciousness, and eventually inferring underlying principles connecting consciousness with physical processes. These projects are discussed with reference to current experimental research on consciousness. Some obstacles that a science of consciousness faces are also discussed.
Department of Philosophy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
David J
DJ
Chalmers
D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009488:Neurosciences / Q000379:methods; D014473:Unconscious, Psychology