Lecture 43-44

The Nonreductive Mind

 
   Objectives
   In this lecture you will learn the following
  • Mind cannot be described only through objective behavioural or neurophysical terms. The real meaning of consciousness lies in its subjective and qualitative character. Mental states are autonomous entities functioning independently of the physical system to which they belong. It is because of the first person perspective of mind, which cannot be explained in the reductive way rather we can explain it in the non reductive method. According to the nonreductionists, mind cannot be explained in the objective method. Because the reductive method of mind is concern itself only with objectively observable behavior. In this section, we will discuss the widely accepted view that the mental phenomena are essentially connected with consciousness and that consciousness is essentially subjective