What in the world is consciousness?

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Science
• Neuroscience
• Philosophy of Mind

Background:

• Consciousness is a complex, historically rich concept.
• Existing literature presents diverse and sometimes conflicting definitions and theories.
• Interdisciplinary approaches are common but can lead to misunderstandings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the multifaceted nature of consciousness through a series of key contrasts.
• To delineate different senses and conceptions of consciousness.
• To examine the distinction between the "easy" and "hard" problems of consciousness and its validity.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis through contrasting pairs of concepts related to consciousness.
• Review of existing literature on consciousness from scientific and humanistic perspectives.
• Focus on the relationship between consciousness, awareness, and behavior.

Main Results:

• Identified five key contrasts: states vs. awareness, consciousness vs. self-consciousness, narrow vs. broad senses, inner vs. outer conceptions, and easy vs. hard problems.
• Highlighted that awareness pertains to the contents of consciousness across psychological capacities.
• Noted the ongoing debate regarding the validity of the "easy" vs. "hard" problems distinction.

Conclusions:

• Consciousness is best understood by examining its various dimensions and contrasting them.
• The "outer" conception, linking consciousness to intelligent behavior, offers a scientifically tractable approach.
• Further interdisciplinary dialogue is crucial for advancing the study of consciousness.