What is consciousness like for a conscious being?

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1984
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Abstract
The thesis is concerned with consciousness. The suggested approach is phenomenological but the implied methodology is complicated and of necessity devious. It is a matter for display, examples rather than demonstrations or proof. The subject (the 'I', not talk of 'I') must admit of access but various approaches have their difficulties. Initially I argue that the notion of access to the subject is explored by invoking the category of experience. In this context I appeal, albeit in subordinate fashion, to standard idiom. The experiential "phenomenal" is introduced by contrasting the views of Nagel and Dennett. Inclining to the philosophical motives of the former, I attempt to characterize experience in terms of what it is like to be a subject. I cite the well-worn but ill-used topic of dreams to highlight the issue of the connection between being conscious and being awake. In order that I clarify what is essential to consciousness, in my analysis of the conscious state I try, in opposition to Ryle, to show that his talk of episodes and dispositions will not bear the theoretic burden. The central portion of my thesis is devoted to displaying where the Rylean categories fail and why what I characterize as "middleground" is essential. I give in this regard a rendition of concentrating (heeding, caring, attending, inter alia) which is intended to people a Rylean wasteland with subjects knowing themselves in situations as themselves as presented to themselves. Finally, I stated the possibilities for reflexive consciousness -- the being for a subject to a subject -- in contexts relating both to phenomenology and fringe areas of psychology.
Description
Bibliography: p. 172-174.
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Citation
Lee, R. A. (1984). What is consciousness like for a conscious being? (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/24311