scholarly journals Against Phenomenal Externalism

2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (145) ◽  
pp. 25-48
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Sacchi ◽  
Alberto Voltolini

We maintain that no extant argument in favor of phenomenal externalism (PE) is really convincing. PE is the thesis that the phenomenal properties of our experiences must be individuated widely insofar as they are constituted by worldly properties. We consider what we take to be the five best arguments for PE. We try to show that none of them really proves what it aims at proving. Unless better arguments in favor of phenomenal externalism show up in the debate, we see noreason to relinquish an idea that seems intuitive and appeals to many cognitive scientists: that phenomenology is narrow, i.e., that phenomenal properties are intrinsic properties of our experiences. This idea grounds the opposite philosophical position, phenomenal internalism (PI).

Analysis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-417
Author(s):  
Torin Alter ◽  
Sam Coleman

Abstract According to Russellian monism, phenomenal consciousness is constituted by inscrutables: intrinsic properties that categorically ground dispositional properties described by fundamental physics. On Russellian physicalism, those inscrutables are construed as protophenomenal properties: non-structural properties that both categorically ground dispositional properties and, perhaps when appropriately structured, collectively constitute phenomenal properties. Morris and Brown (Journal of Consciousness Studies 2016, 2017) argue that protophenomenal properties cannot serve this purpose, given assumptions Russellian monists typically make about the modal profile of such properties. Those assumptions, it is argued, entail that protophenomenal properties are ‘experience specific’, that is, they are individuated by their potential to constitute phenomenal properties, and are thus not genuinely physical. However, we argue, that reasoning assumes that physical inscrutables must be individuated in terms of their (actual or possible) grounding roles. Not only is that assumption questionable: it is antithetical to Russellian monism.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-143
Author(s):  
Norbert Feinendegen

Although Lewis describes his intellectual journey to the Christian faith in Surprised by Joy and The Pilgrim's Regress, the actual steps of his progress from Atheism to Theism are still a matter of controversy. Based on Lewis' letters, his diary All My Road Before Me and recently published sources (in particular ‘Early Prose Joy’), this paper gives an outline of the main steps of Lewis' philosophical progress during the 1920s. The first part sketches the five main stages Materialism, Realism, Absolute Idealism, Subjective Idealism, and Theism, and submits a proposal for their dating. The second part describes these stages in greater detail and discusses the reasons that urged Lewis to adopt a new philosophical position at a particular time. It will become apparent that a thorough philosophical understanding of these stages is an indispensable prerequisite for any serious effort to establish a chronology of Lewis' intellectual progress during these years.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 145-157
Author(s):  
Hartmut Von Sass
Keyword(s):  

God’s being is becoming – the title is the thesis. The first section of this paper will be dedicated to the problem of radical historicity in sketching three dogmatic approaches dealing with the relation between God and history. After critically introducing the concept of relational – in contrast to intrinsic – properties in the second section I will apply a revised version of this concept theologically in integrating it into the architecture of Trinitarian thinking. Accordingly, and on that basis, the last section can address the ambivalent as well as precarious question in which sense God’s ultimate being is in real (be) coming.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 4178-4187
Author(s):  
Michael A Persinger ◽  
Stanley A Koren

                The capacity for computer-like simulations to be generated by massive information processing from electron-spin potentials supports Bostrom’s hypothesis that matter and human cognition might reflect simulations. Quantitative analyses of the basic assumptions indicate the universe may display properties of a simulation where photons behave as pixels and gravitons control the structural organization. The Lorentz solution for the square of the light and entanglement velocities converges with the duration of a single electron orbit that ultimately defines properties of matter. The approximately one trillion potential states within the same space with respect to the final epoch of the universe indicate that a different simulation, each with intrinsic properties, has been and will be generated as a type of tractrix defined by ±2 to 3 days (total duration 5 to 6 days). It may define the causal limits within a simulation. Because of the intrinsic role of photons as the pixel unit, phenomena within which flux densities are enhanced, such as human cognition (particularly dreaming) and the cerebral regions associated with those functions, create the conditions for entanglement or excess correlations between contiguous simulations. The consistent quantitative convergence of operations indicates potential validity for this approach. The emergent solutions offer alternative explanations for the limits of predictions for multivariate phenomena that could be coupled to more distal simulations.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kseniya A. Mariewskaya ◽  
Denis Larkin ◽  
Yuri Samoilichenko ◽  
Vladimir Korshun ◽  
Alex Ustinov

Molecular fluorescence is a phenomenon that is usually observed in condensed phase. It is strongly affected by molecular interactions. The study of fluorescence spectra in the gas phase can provide a nearly-ideal model for the evaluation of intrinsic properties of the fluorophores. Unfortunately, most conventional fluorophores are not volatile enough to allow study of their fluorescence in the gas phase. Here we report very bright gas phase fluorescence of simple BODIPY dyes that can be readily observed at atmospheric pressure using conventional fluorescence instrumentation. To our knowledge, this is the first example of visible range gas phase fluorescence at near ambient conditions. Evaporation of the dye in vacuum allowed us to demonstrate organic molecular electroluminescence in gas discharge excited by electric field produced by a Tesla coil.


2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (15) ◽  
pp. 1633-1640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Espigule ◽  
Fabiola Vilaseca ◽  
Xavier Puigvert ◽  
Nour-Eddine Mansouri ◽  
Francesc-Xavier Espinach ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 685-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amna Batool ◽  
Farid Menaa ◽  
Bushra Uzair ◽  
Barkat Ali Khan ◽  
Bouzid Menaa

: The pace at which nanotheranostic technology for human disease is evolving has accelerated exponentially over the past five years. Nanotechnology is committed to utilizing the intrinsic properties of materials and structures at submicroscopic-scale measures. Indeed, there is generally a profound influence of reducing physical dimensions of particulates and devices on their physico-chemical characteristics, biological properties, and performance. The exploration of nature’s components to work effectively as nanoscaffolds or nanodevices represents a tremendous and growing interest in medicine for various applications (e.g., biosensing, tunable control and targeted drug release, tissue engineering). Several nanotheranostic approaches (i.e., diagnostic plus therapeutic using nanoscale) conferring unique features are constantly progressing and overcoming all the limitations of conventional medicines including specificity, efficacy, solubility, sensitivity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, stability, interactions at subcellular levels. : This review introduces two major aspects of nanotechnology as an innovative and challenging theranostic strategy or solution: (i) the most intriguing (bare and functionalized) nanomaterials with their respective advantages and drawbacks; (ii) the current and promising multifunctional “smart” nanodevices.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sapna Saini ◽  
Sanju Nanda ◽  
Anju Dhiman

: Chitosan, a natural biodegradable polymer obtained from deacetylation of chitin, has been used as an approbative macromolecule for the development of various novel drug delivery systems. It is one of the most favorable biodegradable carriers for nanoparticulate drug delivery due to its intrinsic properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, availability of free reactive amino groups, and ease of chemical modification into different active derivatives. Furthermore, interesting physical properties (film-forming, gelling and thickening) make it a suitable candidate for formulations, such as films, microcapsules, beads, nanoparticles, nanofibres, nanogel and so on. Researchers have reported that chitosan nanoparticles act as a promising vehicle for herbal actives as they provide a superior alternative to traditional carriers and improve pharmaceutical efficiency. As no review of chitosan nanoparticles encapsulating herbal extracts and bioactives has been published till date, a maiden effort has been made to collate and review the use of chitosan nanoparticles for the entrapment of phytoconstituents to yield stable, efficient and safe drug delivery systems. Additionally, the paper presents a comprehensive account of the state-of the-art in fabricating herbal chitosan nanoparticles and their current pharmacological status. A list of patents on chitosan nanoparticles of herbal actives has also been included. This review is intended to serve as a didactic discourse for the formulation scientists endeavoring to develop advanced delivery systems for herbal actives.


Author(s):  
Ellen Winner

This chapter addresses the emergence of feelings in the music listener. We hear a sad piece and feel sad, but we are not sad about the music, and nothing bad has happened to us. Some philosophers have therefore concluded that music cannot elicit emotion. Instead, perhaps we are confusing the emotion we hear expressed in the music with the emotion we feel. But research shows that people do feel emotions from music, and they distinguish the emotions they hear in the music from the emotions the music makes them feel. There is no empirical support for the philosophical position that we do not experience emotion from music. However, emotions from music are softened by aesthetic distance—we know these emotions are caused by the music and not by a life event. The chapter concludes with a consideration of some conflicting evidence about whether the emotional response to music is innate or influenced by one’s musical culture.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document