Matter of Consciousness

Introduction

Torin Alter presents a compelling defence of the knowledge argument against physicalism, pioneered by Frank Jackson.

Physicalism and the Knowledge Argument

According to physicalism, consciousness is a physical phenomenon. The knowledge argument stars Mary, who learns all objective, physical information through black-and-white media and yet acquires new information when she first sees colors for herself: information about what it is like to see in color.

Implications of the Knowledge Argument

Based partly on that case, Jackson concludes that not all information is physical. Alter argues that the knowledge argument succeeds in refuting all standard versions of physicalism: versions on which consciousness is grounded by what objective science reveals.

Further Assumptions and Russellian Monism

Alter also argues that given further, plausible assumptions, the knowledge argument leads to Russellian monism, according to which there are intrinsic properties that both constitute consciousness and underlie properties described by physics, such as mass and charge.

Conclusion

Alter explains how the knowledge argument establishes those two conclusions and defends it against numerous objections.