Blindsight and the Nature of Consciousness Book

Ever since its discovery some 25 years ago, the phenomenon of blindsight ? vision without visual consciousness ? has been the source of great controversy in the philosophy of mind, psychology, and the neurosciences. Philosophers have appealed to blindsight in arguing for a wide range of views, from eliminativism ? the view that consciousness doesn?t really exist ? to conscious realism ? the view that it does exist ? from epiphenomenalism ? the view that consciousness has no causal powers ? to functionalism ? the view that it has causal powers and is, moreover, defined by them. But despite the fact that blindsight is widely acknowledged to be a critical test-case for theories of mind, Blindsight and the Nature of Consciousness is the first extended treatment of the phenomenon from a philosophical perspective. The author provides an overview of the psychology literature on blindsight, as well as discussing related, equally fascinating phenomena involving function without awareness. The author argues that blindsight provides very strong support for conscious realism and the causal efficacy of consciousness. He also argues, against much received wisdom, that the best way to account for this causal efficacy is via a thoroughgoing materialism ? the view not only that mental states are brain states, but ? much more controversially ? that mental properties are physical as well. In addition to resolving outstanding debates about blindsight and the nature of consciousness, including those surrounding the so-called "hard" problem, the author offers novel applications of blindsight to theories of knowledge and perception. Designed not only for philosophers and scientists, Blindsight and the Nature of Consciousness has something to say to anyone with an abiding interest in the mystery of the human mind and how philosophers and scientists are solving that mystery.Read More