Consciousness

(Paperback)

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This text presents a review of the diverse philosophical views on consciousness - including those of Kripke, Block, Campbell, Sellars, and Casteneda and demonstrates how each opposing view can be accommodated in the author's framework of belief, an original theory of mind he calls "homuncular functionalism." Lycan argues that human beings are "functionally organized information-processing systems" who do not have non-physical parts. However, he also recognizes the subjective phenomenal quality of the mind, an important sense in which mind is "over and above" mere chemical matter.

Reviews

"Lycan's writing invariably displays a remarkable and enviable combination of clarity of exposition, exegetical precision and illuminating criticism. Moreover, Lycan has organized his book in a way that will maximize both the forcefulness of his position and the accessibility of his arguments."--David M. Rosenthal, Program in Philosophy, CUNY Graduate School, New York

Author Bio

William G. Lycan is Professor of Philosophy at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.