Difference between revisions of "Qualia"

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The term ''qualia'' (singular 'quale') is used in many different ways to date. This page aims to distinguish the various uses.
 
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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= Types of definitions =
  
 
== Definition in terms of examples ==
 
== Definition in terms of examples ==

Revision as of 17:28, 14 June 2020

The term qualia (singular 'quale') is used in many different ways to date. This page aims to distinguish the various uses.

Types of definitions

Definition in terms of examples

Many publications refer to qualia as defined in terms of examples. E.g.:

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


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Tye, Michael, "Qualia", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2018 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), Link
  2. [1]
  3. Kleiner, Johannes. "Mathematical Models of Consciousness." Entropy 22.6 (2020): 609.
  4. Metzinger, Thomas, ed. Grundkurs Philosophie des Geistes. Mentis., 2007.