Warehouse Stock Clearance Sale

Grab a bargain today!


Sign Up for Fishpond's Best Deals Delivered to You Every Day
Go
The Matter of Consciousness
From the Knowledge Argument to Russellian Monism

Rating
Format
Hardback, 288 pages
Published
United Kingdom, 25 May 2023

Torin Alter presents a compelling defence of the 'knowledge argument' against physicalism, pioneered by Frank Jackson. According to physicalism, consciousness is a physical phenomenon. The knowledge argument stars Mary, who learns all objective, physical information through black-and-white media and yet acquires new information when she first sees colors for herself: information about what it is like to see in color. Based partly on that case, Jackson concludes that
not all information is physical. Alter argues that the knowledge argument succeeds in refuting all standard versions of physicalism: versions on which consciousness is grounded by what objective
science reveals. Alter also argues that given further, plausible assumptions, the knowledge argument leads to Russellian monism, according to which there are intrinsic properties that both constitute consciousness and underlie properties described by physics, such as mass and charge. Alter explains how the knowledge argument establishes those two conclusions and defend it against numerous objections.


Our Price
$150
Elsewhere
$172.95
Save $22.95 (13%)
Ships from UK Estimated delivery date: 14th Apr - 21st Apr from UK
  Include FREE SHIPPING on a Fishpond Premium Trial

Already Own It? Sell Yours
Buy Together
+
Buy together with My Torin at a great price!
Buy Together
$172.54
Elsewhere Price
$179.69
You Save $7.15 (4%)

Product Description

Torin Alter presents a compelling defence of the 'knowledge argument' against physicalism, pioneered by Frank Jackson. According to physicalism, consciousness is a physical phenomenon. The knowledge argument stars Mary, who learns all objective, physical information through black-and-white media and yet acquires new information when she first sees colors for herself: information about what it is like to see in color. Based partly on that case, Jackson concludes that
not all information is physical. Alter argues that the knowledge argument succeeds in refuting all standard versions of physicalism: versions on which consciousness is grounded by what objective
science reveals. Alter also argues that given further, plausible assumptions, the knowledge argument leads to Russellian monism, according to which there are intrinsic properties that both constitute consciousness and underlie properties described by physics, such as mass and charge. Alter explains how the knowledge argument establishes those two conclusions and defend it against numerous objections.

Product Details
EAN
9780198840459
ISBN
0198840454
Dimensions
23.6 x 16.5 x 2.3 centimetres (0.60 kg)

Table of Contents

Part I: The case for the epistemic gap
1: Introduction
2: The significance of structure
3: Structure, physical knowledge, and ignorance
4: Phenomenal knowledge without experience
5: Non-propositional phenomenal knowledge
6: Phenomenal representation
Part II: The case for the modal gap
7: Deduction and necessity
8: Epistemic-modal bridge principles
9: The phenomenal concept strategy and Chalmers's dilemma
10: Consequences of social externalism
11: The conditional analysis of phenomenal concepts
Part III: The case for the ontological gap
12: The supervenience requirement on physicalism
13: Two final objections
14: Two final objections
15: The knowledge argument, Russellian monism, and causal integration
Conclusion

About the Author

Torin Alter is Professor of Philosophy at The University of Alabama, USA. He is author of articles in Mind, Philosophical Studies, and elsewhere; co-author of A Dialogue on Consciousness and The God Dialogues: A Philosophical Journey (both OUP); and co-editor of Consciousness and the Mind-Body Problem: A Reader and Phenomenal Concepts and Phenomenal Knowledge: New Essays on Consciousness and Physicalism (both OUP).

Reviews

What can Mary know about the conscious experience of color from inside her black and white room, and what follows for the metaphysics of consciousness? Torin Alter gives a state-of-the-art analysis of these issues. He focuses especially on the crucial gap between structural and phenomenal aspects of reality, and articulates a powerful version of Russellian monism that traces this gap to a deep level of the physical world. Along the way he gives a definitive defense of anti-materialist arguments from objections old and new, shedding new light on this crucial nexus between consciousness, knowledge, and reality.
*David Chalmers, New York University*

The Matter of Consciousness is a thorough and comprehensive treatment of the knowledge argument, one of the most compelling and influential arguments against physicalism about consciousness. Torin Alter's treatment of this argument and the objections that have been raised against it is unsurpassed in quality and clarity. This book is essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the contemporary case against physicalism about the mind.
*Derk Pereboom, Cornell University*

Show more
Review this Product
What our customers have to say
Ask a Question About this Product More...
 
Look for similar items by category
People also searched for
How Fishpond Works
Fishpond works with suppliers all over the world to bring you a huge selection of products, really great prices, and delivery included on over 25 million products that we sell. We do our best every day to make Fishpond an awesome place for customers to shop and get what they want — all at the best prices online.
Webmasters, Bloggers & Website Owners
You can earn a 8% commission by selling The Matter of Consciousness: From the Knowledge Argument to Russellian Monism on your website. It's easy to get started - we will give you example code. After you're set-up, your website can earn you money while you work, play or even sleep! You should start right now!
Authors / Publishers
Are you the Author or Publisher of a book? Or the manufacturer of one of the millions of products that we sell. You can improve sales and grow your revenue by submitting additional information on this title. The better the information we have about a product, the more we will sell!
Item ships from and is sold by Fishpond World Ltd.

Back to top