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.
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.
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
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).
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*
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