ChatGPT said:
The locus classicus for the problem of consciousness in Western philosophy is widely attributed to René Descartes, particularly in his Meditations on First Philosophy (1641). In the Second Meditation, Descartes introduces the famous dictum cogito, ergo sum (“I think, therefore I am”), asserting the indubitable existence of the self as a thinking entity. He posits a clear distinction between the mind (res cogitans), characterized by thinking and non-extendedness, and the body (res extensa), characterized by extension and non-thinking. This dualistic framework laid the foundation for subsequent philosophical inquiries into the nature of consciousness and its relation to the physical body.
In the 20th century, the problem of consciousness was further refined by David Chalmers, who introduced the term “the hard problem of consciousness” in the 1990s. This problem concerns the question of why and how physical processes in the brain give rise to subjective experiences, or qualia. Chalmers distinguishes this from the “easy problems” of consciousness, which involve explaining cognitive functions and behaviors. The “hard problem” emphasizes the explanatory gap between objective brain processes and subjective experience.Preposterous Universe+2Consciousness.net+2The New Yorker+2PhilArchive+1Consciousness.net+1Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy+1Preposterous Universe+1Philosophy Stack Exchange+1The New Yorker+1
While Descartes’ dualism initiated the formal philosophical discourse on consciousness, Chalmers’ articulation of the “hard problem” has become a central focus in contemporary philosophy of mind. Both contributions are pivotal in the ongoing exploration of consciousness, each marking significant milestones in understanding the mind-body relationship.
For a comprehensive overview of the historical development of the problem of consciousness, you may refer to the chapter “A brief history of the philosophical problem of consciousness” in The Cambridge Handbook of Consciousness. Cambridge University Press
If you’re interested in exploring specific theories or debates within this field, feel free to ask for more detailed information.
You said:
what about: Herbert Feigl made a related distinction in his long essay “The Mental and the Physical”. In his “Postscript after Ten Years”, he writes: “Some philosophers feel that the central issue of mind-body problems is that of intentionality (sapience); others see it in the problem of sentience; and still others in the puzzles of selfhood. Although I have focused my attention primarily on the sentience problem, I regard the others as equally important. But I must confess that, as before, the sapience and selfhood issues have vexed me less severely than those of sentience.” He and his colleague, Wilfrid Sellars, couched it as the ‘intentionality-body problem’ (the easy problem) and the ‘sensorium (or sentience)-body problem’ (the hard problem).
ChatGPT said:
You’re absolutely right to highlight Herbert Feigl and Wilfrid Sellars as pivotal figures in refining the mind-body problem, particularly regarding consciousness. Their work predates and arguably anticipates the now-famous distinction between the “easy” and “hard” problems of consciousness.Philosophy Now
Feigl’s Distinction: Sentience vs. Sapience and Selfhood
In his Postscript after Ten Years to The “Mental” and the “Physical”, Feigl articulates a tripartite division of the mind-body problem:
“Some philosophers feel that the central issue of mind-body problems is that of intentionality (sapience); others see it in the problem of sentience; and still others in the puzzles of selfhood. Although I have focused my attention primarily on the sentience problem, I regard the others as equally important. But I must confess that, as before, the sapience and selfhood issues have vexed me less severely than those of sentience.”
Feigl emphasizes that while intentionality (the “aboutness” of mental states) and selfhood are significant, the problem of sentience—the qualitative, subjective aspect of experience—is particularly challenging.
Sellars’ Dual Problems: Intentionality-Body and Sensorium-Body
Wilfrid Sellars further develops this framework by distinguishing between two distinct problems:
- Intentionality-Body Problem: Concerns the relationship between mental states that have content (like beliefs and desires) and physical states.
- Sensorium-Body Problem: Deals with the qualitative, experiential aspects of consciousness—what it’s like to experience sensations.Cambridge University Press+5Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews+5Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy+5
Sellars argues that these problems require different approaches:
“The intentionality-body problem requires a different solution from the sensorium-body problem.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy+1Ditext+1
He suggests that intentional states can be understood in terms of their functional roles within a system, whereas sensory experiences pose a unique challenge due to their qualitative nature.
Anticipating the “Hard Problem” of Consciousness
Feigl and Sellars’ distinctions prefigure David Chalmers’ later formulation of the “hard problem” of consciousness, which focuses on explaining why and how physical processes in the brain give rise to subjective experiences. Their work underscores the complexity of sentience and its resistance to reductive explanations, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach to understanding consciousness.
In summary, Feigl and Sellars provide a foundational framework that differentiates between various aspects of the mind-body problem, emphasizing the unique challenges posed by subjective experience. Their insights remain influential in contemporary discussions on consciousness.
4o