AHMAD ALMAHOZI

The Conscious Mind: In Search of a Fundamental Theory by David J. Chalmers
Chalmers distinguishes publicly accessible descriptions of consciousness (neural networks, neural/neurochemical correlates of consciousness, anatomy, correlates to behaviour, etc.) from phenomenal consciousness (experience, the feel of what’s being processed = not accessed by an external observer) >> quaila.

He then argues that Qualia (phenomenal consciousness) is not physical/ or not reducible to lower physical facts. Supporting arguments showing this distinction include: philosophical zombies (a zombie/a creature/a robot that is physically identical to and indistinguishable from a normal person but does not have conscious experience or qualia. If you hit it, it would react and verbally express pain, although inwardly it won’t feel any pain. Another argument: Mary’s Room/ the knowledge argument (Mary is a scientist who knows everything there is to know about the science of color, but has never experienced color, has lived all her live in a black/white room. The question is: once she goes outside and experiences color, does she learn anything new? If the answer is yes, then that would mean that what she has learned (or experienced) is a different entity from knowledge. Experience/Qualia is not physical (vs. Daniel Dennett, a denialist, who thinks that consciousness is a mere delusion)>>Dualism?

It follows then, that the only things that are irreducible to lower level facts are fundamental laws of nature (space, time, etc.)>> consciousness is fundamental>> Panpsychism?

Then “in search of a fundamental theory” he puts philosophical constraints and requirements (a framework) of what that theory should sound like.

This is good, because it shows that mainstream neuroscience really doesn’t tackle what matters/what we mean when we talk about consciousness. It deals only with the “easy” problems of consciousness (the wiring, the correlates, the observable descriptions). What’s disappointing (not the fault of Chambers) is that the alternatives, including panpsychism, are often promoted by crazies.