Panpsychism's Awakened Environment: Exploring the Consciousness-Environment Relationship Through an Assessment of Consciousness Theories
Author
Bolduc, Mia Juul
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2019
Submitted on
2019-06-12
Pages
75
Abstract
This thesis examines which theory of consciousness best accounts for the nature of experience and how such theories shape assumptions about the relationship between consciousness and the environment. Framing consciousness as a qualitative, unified, subjective domain of what-it-is-like, the study works in the analytic tradition through conceptual and logical analysis, taking consciousness as an indubitable starting point. It evaluates substance dualism, property dualism, reductive and non-reductive physicalism, and panpsychism. The analysis argues that substance dualism is untenable because it cannot explain mind–body interaction; reductive physicalism neglects the qualitative essence of experience; and property dualism together with non-reductive physicalism converge as dual-aspect monism, which still faces the interaction problem and the hard problem of consciousness. On this basis, the thesis advances panpsychism as the most promising framework, treating consciousness as fundamental and better positioned to address those challenges, while acknowledging the combination problem and surveying possible solutions. It then explores the assumed consciousness–environment relationship: Cartesian dualism and much physicalism are presented as hierarchical paradigms that render nature non-conscious and mechanical beneath consciousness, whereas panpsychism situates consciousness within and throughout the environment. The discussion speculates that a panpsychist paradigm would require ethical reconsiderations and could foster greater connectedness, care, and well-being, while leaving open space for further inquiry.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvilken bevidsthedsteori der bedst forklarer bevidsthedens natur, og hvordan sådanne teorier former antagelser om forholdet mellem bevidsthed og miljø. Med udgangspunkt i en forståelse af bevidsthed som en kvalitativ, samlet og subjektiv oplevelsesdimension arbejder afhandlingen inden for den analytiske tradition gennem begrebs- og logisk analyse med et transcendental udgangspunkt, hvor bevidsthed betragtes som ubetvivlelig. Undersøgelsen vurderer substantiel dualisme, egenskabsdualisme, reduktiv og ikke‑reduktiv fysikalisme samt panpsykisme. Den argumenterer for, at substantiel dualisme er uholdbar, fordi den ikke kan forklare interaktion mellem sind og krop; at reduktiv fysikalisme overser bevidsthedens kvalitative væsen; og at egenskabsdualisme og ikke‑reduktiv fysikalisme kan samles som dual‑aspekt monisme, der stadig står over for interaktionsproblemet og bevidsthedens hårde problem. På den baggrund peger specialet på panpsykisme som den mest lovende ramme, fordi den behandler bevidsthed som fundamental og er bedre positioneret til at imødegå disse problemer, samtidig med at den anerkender kombinationsproblemet og skitserer mulige løsninger. I en anden del udforskes de antagne forhold mellem bevidsthed og miljø: Den cartesianske dualisme og store dele af fysikalismen fremstilles som hierarkiske paradigmer, der placerer en ikke‑bevidst, mekanisk natur under bevidstheden, mens panpsykisme foreslår bevidsthed udbredt i og gennem miljøet. Afslutningsvis spekuleres der i, at et panpsykistisk paradigmeskifte vil kræve etiske revurderinger og kan fremme større forbundethed, omsorg og velvære, samtidig med at der åbnes et rum for videre forskning.
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