Carlos Montemayor at the Rotman Institute of Philosophy

Prof. Montemayor presented on The Difference Between Consciousness and Attention: Scientific Challenges at the Rotman Institute of Philosophy, Western University on October 4, 2019. 

Abstract: We know our minds directly, by having privileged access to them. We also know about them more indirectly, by studying the biological and structural conditions that allow creatures like us to have minds. This gap between the subjective and the objective has been the focus of much debate in consciousness studies. I here explore a different set of issues that might clarify our understanding of the conscious mind, particularly concerning the relation between consciousness and attention. The talk will cover issues concerning information, evolution, and theoretical approaches to consciousness. I hope to demonstrate that studying carefully the difference between phenomenal consciousness and attention will not only lead to more productive discussions, but that it will also be a basic component of a scientific theory of consciousness.