Unlocking Consciousness: Materialist Perspectives and the Power of Metaphor

This detailed look into the philosophy of mind examines the persistent challenge of explaining phenomenal consciousness – the subjective experience of 'what it's like' to be oneself. It questions the fundamental assumption that phenomenal consciousness requires a separate explanation, contrasting it with the more neurologically explainable aspects of access consciousness. The content introduces a materialist perspective that suggests phenomenal consciousness might not be a distinct entity but rather an attribution arising from the interplay of explainable components. A key focus is placed on the profound impact of language and metaphors, such as the 'Cartesian theater' and the 'stream of consciousness,' in shaping our intuitions and potentially misleading our understanding of subjective experience. It advocates for a critical examination of these linguistic frameworks to gain a more accurate comprehension of consciousness.