Philosophy of Mind · The reality of phenomenal consciousness

Illusionism

The impression of irreducible phenomenal qualities does not establish that those qualities exist.

What it claims

Illusionism denies phenomenal properties as traditionally characterized: private, intrinsic, ineffable qualities directly revealed by introspection. It explains the powerful impression of possessing such properties through the brain's simplified or misleading representations of its own activity. It does not deny perception, pain-related processing, introspective judgments, or other mental functioning.

Nearby positions

Key thinkers

Daniel Dennett · Keith Frankish · Georges Rey · Michael Graziano