Difference between revisions of "Qualia"
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| − | The term ''qualia'' (singular 'quale') is used in many different ways to date. | + | The term ''qualia'' (singular 'quale') is used in many different ways to date. This page aims to distinguish the various uses. |
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== Definition in terms of examples == | == Definition in terms of examples == | ||
| − | Many publications | + | Many publications refer to qualia as defined in terms of examples. E.g.: |
| − | * Colours (" | + | * Colours ("the redness of red", etc.) |
| − | * | + | * Referring to the [[what it is like to be]] conception |
| − | * " | + | * "Raw feels" |
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| − | == | + | == Qualia as aspects of conscious experience == |
| − | + | Some publications define qualia in reference to [[aspects]] of mental lives. This is the case, e.g. in Michael Tye's SEP entry,<ref name="SEPQualia">Tye, Michael, "Qualia", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2018 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), [https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2018/entries/qualia/ Link]</ref> where he states that "philosophers often use the term ‘qualia’ to refer to the introspectively accessible, phenomenal aspects of our mental lives," where the term aspect arguably may refer to "any specific feature, part, or element of something"<ref>[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/aspect#English]</ref>. | |
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| − | == | + | A similar route is followed in<ref>Kleiner, Johannes. "Mathematical Models of Consciousness." Entropy 22.6 (2020): 609.</ref>, where qualia are defined as aspects of conscious experience which are [[non-collatability|non-collatable]]. |
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| + | == Qualia as properties == | ||
| + | Qualia are often defines as properties of [[phenomenal consciousness]] or properties of [[mental states]]. | ||
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| + | == Qualia as simple constituents == | ||
| + | Some publications define qualia as ''simple constituents'' of [[phenomenal consciousness]] or [[conscious experience]]. In a few cases they are conceived of as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_formula atoms] of the latter. | ||
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| + | In some cases, they are claimed to constitute the [[phenomenal character]]. According to thos use of the term, qualia "together make up the phenomenal character of the experience".<ref name="SEPQualia"/> | ||
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| + | == Qualia as first order approximations == | ||
| + | In the recorded lecture underlying<ref>Metzinger, Thomas, ed. Grundkurs Philosophie des Geistes. Mentis., 2007.</ref>, Thomas Metzinger discusses that qualia as ''approximations'' of [[phenomenal consciousness]] or [[consciousness]]. | ||
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| + | == Qualia as states == | ||
| + | Some authors define qualia simply as states of [[phenomenal consciousness]]. | ||
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| + | = Properties of features ascribed to qualia = | ||
| + | Qualia are variously claimed to have many different properties, features or key characteristics. E.g., they are claimed to be: | ||
* intrinsic | * intrinsic | ||
* subjective | * subjective | ||
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* homogeneous | * homogeneous | ||
* transparent | * transparent | ||
| − | * qualitative character | + | * qualitative in character |
| − | == | + | == References == |
<references /> | <references /> | ||
Revision as of 18:27, 14 June 2020
The term qualia (singular 'quale') is used in many different ways to date. This page aims to distinguish the various uses.
Contents
Definition in terms of examples
Many publications refer to qualia as defined in terms of examples. E.g.:
- Colours ("the redness of red", etc.)
- Referring to the what it is like to be conception
- "Raw feels"
Qualia as aspects of conscious experience
Some publications define qualia in reference to aspects of mental lives. This is the case, e.g. in Michael Tye's SEP entry,[1] where he states that "philosophers often use the term ‘qualia’ to refer to the introspectively accessible, phenomenal aspects of our mental lives," where the term aspect arguably may refer to "any specific feature, part, or element of something"[2].
A similar route is followed in[3], where qualia are defined as aspects of conscious experience which are non-collatable.
Qualia as properties
Qualia are often defines as properties of phenomenal consciousness or properties of mental states.
Qualia as simple constituents
Some publications define qualia as simple constituents of phenomenal consciousness or conscious experience. In a few cases they are conceived of as atoms of the latter.
In some cases, they are claimed to constitute the phenomenal character. According to thos use of the term, qualia "together make up the phenomenal character of the experience".[1]
Qualia as first order approximations
In the recorded lecture underlying[4], Thomas Metzinger discusses that qualia as approximations of phenomenal consciousness or consciousness.
Qualia as states
Some authors define qualia simply as states of phenomenal consciousness.
Properties of features ascribed to qualia
Qualia are variously claimed to have many different properties, features or key characteristics. E.g., they are claimed to be:
- intrinsic
- subjective
- private
- ineffable
- inaccessible on a cognitive, linguistic or verbal account
- homogeneous
- transparent
- qualitative in character
