Phenomenalism: A Metaphysics of Chance and Experience

Phenomenalism is a philosophical theory that equates physical things with permanent possibilities of sensation. It was developed by J.S. Mill and further explored by Michael Pelczar. Phenomenalism offers a unique perspective on metaphysics, the philosophy of science, and the philosophy of mind by identifying physical things with possibilities of sensation. It provides a connection between the world of physics and the world of sense, challenges structuralist and panpsychist metaphysics, offers a solution to the problem of consciousness, and provides a satisfying theory of perception.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

J.S. Mill's phenomenalism is a fascinating theory that equates physical things with permanent possibilities of sensation. This view suggests that a rock is not just a physical object, but also a tendency for experiences to occur as they do when people perceive a rock. Similarly, all other physical things have their own unique set of phenomenal possibilities.

In his book "Phenomenalism," Michael Pelczar takes J.S. Mill's theory and develops it in greater detail. He defends phenomenalism against the objections that have led to its current unpopularity and uses it to shed light on important questions in metaphysics, the philosophy of science, and the philosophy of mind.

One of the key insights of phenomenalism is that it establishes a transparent connection between the world of physics and the world of sense. By identifying physical things with possibilities of sensation, phenomenalism provides an attractive alternative to currently fashionable structuralist and panpsychist metaphysics. Structuralist metaphysics focuses on the structure of physical objects and their relations, while panpsychist metaphysics argues that all physical objects have consciousness or mental properties.

Phenomenalism, on the other hand, takes a different approach. It suggests that physical objects are not just structures, but also tendencies for experiences to occur. This means that physical objects can have properties that are not directly observable, such as the tendency for experiences to occur when people perceive them.

Pelczar uses phenomenalism to provide a fresh perspective on the problem of consciousness. He argues that consciousness is not just a product of the brain, but also a property of physical objects. This means that physical objects can have experiences and sensations, just like humans.

Phenomenalism also yields a satisfying theory of perception. Pelczar argues that perception is not just a process of receiving sensory information from the environment, but also a process of constructing experiences out of that information. He suggests that perception is a combination of the physical properties of objects and the mental processes of the perceiver.

In conclusion, phenomenalism is a fascinating theory that provides a new perspective on the relationship between physical things and sensation. By identifying physical things with possibilities of sensation, phenomenalism offers an attractive alternative to currently fashionable structuralist and panpsychist metaphysics. It also provides a fresh perspective on the problem of consciousness and yields a satisfying theory of perception. Pelczar's book "Phenomenalism" is a valuable contribution to the field of philosophy and should be read by anyone interested in these topics.

Weight: 396g
Dimension: 144 x 223 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192868732