Difference between revisions of "Qualia"

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* homogeneous
 
* homogeneous
 
* transparent
 
* transparent
 +
* qualitative character
  
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
 
<references />
 
<references />

Revision as of 08:26, 29 April 2020

The term qualia (singular 'quale') is used in many different ways to date. Let's distinguish the characterizations in terms of examples, the types of terms that are being defined,[1] and the properties or features ascribed to qualia.

Definition in terms of examples

May publications define the term using examples. E.g.:

  • Colours ("seeing red", etc.)
  • Using the what it is like to be reference
  • "raw feels"
  • Qualia are "introspectively accessible, phenomenal aspects of our mental lives" [2]

Logical structure

Various uses seem to appear:

  • Properties of phenomenal consciousness
  • Properties of mental states[2]
  • Simple constituents/peroperties of phenomenal consciousness (going as far as "approximations" of phenomenal consciousness)
  • States of phenomenal consciousness
  • Sometimes they are claimed to constitute the phenomenal character ("that together make up the phenomenal character of the experience"[2]

Properties of features ascribed to qualia

Different studies endorse different properties of qualia. Here is a first list of properties that are being ascribed. In philosophical contributions, these properties are used to analyse certain claims, e.g. whether physicalism can be true, whether there is an explanatory gap, etc.

  • intrinsic
  • subjective
  • private
  • ineffable
  • inaccessible on a cognitive, linguistic or verbal account
  • homogeneous
  • transparent
  • qualitative character


Notes

  1. Can one call this the "logical structure" of the term? - Probably not, please correct.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Michael Tye in SEP Entry on Qualia.