The case for intrinsic theory .2. An examination of a conception of consciousness(4) as intrinsic, necessary, and concomitant

Journal/Book: J Mind Behav. 1996; 17: PO Box 522, Village Station, New York, NY 10014. Inst Mind Behavior Inc. 369-389.

Abstract: The present article is the second one in a series and begins to spell out the case for the intrinsic kind of cheery of consciousness(4). According to such theory, a mental occurrence instance is conscious(4) (i.e., an immediate object of occurrent awareness) on ics own, that is, as a part of its own internal structure. Considered here are a prominent phenomenologist's argument in favor of an intrinsic theory of consciousness(4), and his conception of how such inner awareness occurs in the case of objectivating mental acts, which are all conscious(4) in his view. Every objectivating act is a mental-occurrence instance that includes outer awareness, chat is, awareness of something lying (or seeming to lie) externally to the act. Every objectivating act presents an object distinct from itself conveys awareness of that object, and - allegedly as a mere by-product or concomitant - conveys awareness of itself. This article emphasizes the question of what property of outer awareness it is that necessarily, as has been claimed, brings along with it inner awareness of the respective objectivating act. Also, this article begins to argue that, in the very occurrence of any conscious(4) objectivating acr, inner awareness is ''interwoven'' with outer awareness. Inner awareness is a part of the ''thematizing'' activity of any conscious(4) mental act, rather than being ''marginal,'' that is, a merely implicit concomitant of the act.

Note: Article Natsoulas T, Univ Calif Davis, Dept Psychol, Room 179, Herbert a Young Hall, Davis,CA 95616 USA

Keyword(s): APPENDAGE THEORY

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