Mechanisms and Consciousness: Integrating Phenomenology with Cognitive Science

This book develops a new approach to naturalizing phenomenology by integrating it with the mechanistic framework, offering new methodological perspectives for studying complex mental phenomena such as consciousness. It proposes two novel ways of integrating phenomenology and mechanism, such as presenting phenomenological analyses as functional analyses and developing the neurophenomenological approach to dynamic modeling of experience.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 206 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking book offers a novel approach to naturalizing phenomenology, integrating it with the mechanistic framework to explore complex mental phenomena like consciousness. While mechanistic explanatory models are prevalent in cognitive science, they have limitations in describing subjective experiences. The author argues that phenomenology can bridge this gap. He presents two innovative ways of integrating phenomenology and mechanism. Firstly, he reinterprets phenomenological analyses as functional analyses, providing a functional sketch of a target system and setting constraints on the space of possible mechanisms. Secondly, he develops the neurophenomenological approach, moving towards dynamic modeling of experience. By demonstrating that neurophenomenology can offer dynamical constraints on mechanistic models, the book contributes to the search for an underlying mechanism.

Mechanisms and Consciousness is a valuable resource for scholars and advanced students engaged in phenomenology, philosophy of mind, and the cognitive sciences. It offers insightful perspectives and methodologies that shed light on the nature of consciousness and its relationship with the mechanistic world. Through its interdisciplinary approach, the book fosters a deeper understanding of the human mind and its cognitive processes.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032137926