S
smcder
Guest
Phenomenological phenomena are states of mind in and of themselves rather than causal factors. The phenomenological method relies on the description of phenomena as they are given to consciousness, in their immediacy ( Wikipedia ), so in either instance ( physical or mystical ), phenomenology plays a role in the examination of what is taking place within our consciousness ( our waking experience ) rather than what gives rise to it in the first place.
For convenience sake I often refer simply to the brain, but if you review my posts, you'll also see multiple instances where I refer to consciousness as an emergent property of a normally functioning brain/body system in its waking state. I hope that clarifies somewhat.
Phenomenological phenomena are states of mind in and of themselves rather than causal factors.
If I understand you correctly - this is the position of epiphenomenalism?
- Epiphenomenalism is a doctrine first formulated by Thomas Henry Huxley.[39] It consists of the view that mental phenomena are causally ineffectual, where one or more mental states do not have any influence on physical states. Physical events can cause other physical events and physical events can cause mental events, but mental events cannot cause anything, since they are just causally inert by-products (i.e. epiphenomena) of the physical world.[35] This view has been defended most strongly in recent times by Frank Jackson.[40]
For convenience sake I often refer simply to the brain, but if you review my posts, you'll also see multiple instances where I refer to consciousness as an emergent property of a normally functioning brain/body system in its waking state. I hope that clarifies somewhat.
It does clarify - thank you. I would not have equated "the brain" and "normally functioning brain/body system" across the various contexts in your posts - not with multiple posters to keep track of (and not sleeping having slept in-between! ;-) generally, I'm not sure we can assume that readers can or will keep track of how each participant uses language across all of their previous posts (or even that our language always forms a coherent whole, I know mine does not) - it might be good practice for all participants to concisely re-state key positions from time to time - this could also make reviewing the thread easier in the future or for new participants.