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The mind-body problem in the philosophy of mind and cognitive neuroscience: a physicalist naturalist solution

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Abstract

Using an analysis of a voluntary action caused by a visual perception, I suggest that the three fundamental characteristics of this perception (being conscious, self-conscious, and provided with a content) are neurologically implemented by three distinct higher order properties of brain dynamics. This hypothesis allows me to sketch out a physicalist naturalist solution to the mind-body problem. According to this solution, primary phenomenal consciousness is neither a non-physical substance, nor a non-physical property but simply the “format” that the brain gives to a part of its dynamics in order to obtain a fine tuning with its environment when the body acts on it.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Sociali, Politiche e Cognitive, Università degli Studi di Siena, via Roma 56, 53100, Siena, Italy

    Sandro Nannini

  2. Siena, Italy

    Sandro Nannini

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  1. Sandro Nannini
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Correspondence to Sandro Nannini.

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Nannini, S. The mind-body problem in the philosophy of mind and cognitive neuroscience: a physicalist naturalist solution. Neurol Sci 39, 1509–1517 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-018-3455-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-018-3455-6

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