John Searle on Consciousness

In this clip, philosopher John Searle discusses his approach to the mind-body problem known as "biological naturalism." Searle believes that neither dualism nor materialism can adequately account for consciousness, but that the mind can still be studied as a purely biological phenomena.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Searle

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_naturalism

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Consciousness
• Philosophy of Mind
• Reductionism
• Mind-Body Problem
• Biological Naturalism
• Ontological Subjectivity
• Freewill

[BlakeAlbinson]

I want John Searle as my grandfather.

[TheEpicureanAtheist]

@alitza8844 You are aware that Searle has a whole lecture series (not to mention books) in which he discusses his views on Consciousness, gives arguments for his views, responds to his critiques, defines consciousness, and pretty much addresses all the things you've brought up, right? You surely wouldn't just watch this one three minute video of him giving an outline of his views without doing any further research. No way, that would be ridiculous. :)

[PerfectDecalibration]

@Vincentaneous Because I believe that consciousness is intertwined in a complicated way with the brain. Possibly quantum mechanically.

I don't think we know enough about consciousness to say that it "ends" when the brain stops functioning or is destroyed.

We also haven't agreed upon a definition of consciousness, which is hard to define anyway, which makes this hard to talk about.

[Ekusah]

@Vincentaneous the prospect of futility, accepting that you are a pre-thought and that nothing about yourself is significant.

That's what I think would be boring.

[Vincentaneous]

@PerfectDecalibration Then why does consciousness appear to be hindered when the brain is damaged, and why does it appear to end when the brain stops functioning or is destroyed?

[Vincentaneous]

@Ekusah Why would that be boring? Or, why would it be duller than thinking you are a spirit?

[Ekusah]

How dull it must be to exist thinking you are a robot.

[SciTechExplained]

The video started with the left foot: "We all know what consciousness is?" That's what the interviewer said. So, we already know what consciousness is, aaa? The interview ended right there n the beginning !

[AnAmiC]

Sadly, he does not go into detail about why he thinks that conscious mental states are causal. I am much more inclined to think the opposite. Consciousness is epiphenomenal, it is being simulated and can itself not in return influence other conscious or unconscious mental states. It is not that you think, therefore you are, but rather that you think and afterwards you come into being.

[PerfectDecalibration]

I disagree. I do not thing consciousness is produced explicitly by the brain...

[acr08807]

@MyITRcom Have you ever thought something was self-evident but discovered later that it was not true?

[MyITRcom]

@acr08807 I don't need science to know that I exist.  Somethings are self evident and do not need an external authority to be validated.