Charles Explorer logo
🇬🇧

Dennett and phenomenous cognition

Publication |
2002

Abstract

The article explicates a debate between the philosopher Dan Dennett and a neuroscientist Vilayanur Ramachandran about a cognitive significance of the phenomenon of ”filling-in” that takes place over the blind spot of a human eye. Although the resolution of the discussion seems rather trivial, a possibly devastating attack on Dennett’s reconstructive view of consciousness can be launched upon it.

A very prevalent notion of phenomenal transparency in his writings doesn’t offer an answer to a presented objection. If transparency of consciousness depends on employed cognitive processes, how is it possible that representations brought about by various processes doesn’t appear differently to a subject? In concluding possible Dennett’s replies are considered