Representationalism and Panpsychism

Abstract

A solution is offered to the paradox presented in Chapter 1. This solution requires us to embrace a qualified form of panpsychism for consciousness, or rather for a key element of consciousness I call “consciousness*”. Consciousness, I claim, is inherently representational and did indeed evolve. This is not true for consciousness*. Three problems are discussed for the hybrid view I develop: the problem of undirected consciousness; the problem of combination; and the problem of tiny psychological subjects. Solutions are offered for each of these problems. The final section of the chapter takes up the question of the causal efficacy of consciousness.