Let's Dance! The Equivocation in Chalmers' Dancing Qualia Argument

Authors: van Heuveln B.1; Dietrich E.1; Oshima M.1

Source: Minds and Machines, Volume 8, Number 2, 1998 , pp. 237-249(13)

Publisher: Springer

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content

Abstract:

David Chalmers' dancing qualia argument is intended to show that phenomenal experiences, or qualia, are organizational invariants. The dancing qualia argument is a reductio ad absurdum, attempting to demonstrate that holding an alternative position, such as the famous inverted spectrum argument, leads one to an implausible position about the relation between consciousness and cognition. In this paper, we argue that Chalmers' dancing qualia argument fails to establish the plausibility of qualia being organizational invariants. Even stronger, we will argue that the gap in the argument cannot be closed. .

Keywords: consciousness; functionalism; qualia

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Philosophy and Computers and Cognitive Science, Department of Philosopy, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY 13902, U.S.A. (E-mail: Email: bram@turing.paccs.binghamton.edu; Email: dietrich@turing.paccs.binghamton.edu; Email: michi@turing.paccs.b

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$47.00 plus tax

 

OR

Back to top

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content
Page Help Click here for Page Help
Shopping cart
Tools
Sign in






Need to register?
Sign up here
Text size: A | A | A | A