The Several Factors of (Self-)Consciousness

Abstract

In prior essays I have sketched a “modal model” of (self-) consciousness. That model “factors” out several distinct forms of awareness in the phenomenological structure of a typical act of consciousness. Here we consider implications of the model à propos of contemporary theories of consciousness (e.g. higher-order and self-representational forms of awareness). In particular, we distinguish phenomenality from other features of awareness in a conscious experience: “what it is like” to have an experience involves several different factors. Further, we should see these factors as typical of consciousness, rather than essential features, allowing that some elements of awareness may be absent while others are present in certain less typical cases.

Keywords

• (Self-)consciousness
• Higher-order Theories of Consciousness
• Self-representational Theories of Consciousness
• Phenomenality
• Phenomenological Theories of Consciousness