Direct versus Indirect Realism: A Neurophilosophical Debate on Consciousness

Direct versus Indirect Realism: A Neurophilosophical Debate on Consciousness brings together leading neuroscientists and philosophers to explain and defend their theories on consciousness. The book offers a one-of-a-kind look at the radically opposing theories concerning the nature of the objects of immediate perception-whether these are distal physical objects or phenomenal experiences in the conscious mind. Each side-neuroscientists and philosophers-offers accessible, comprehensive explanations of their points-of-view, with each side also providing a response to the other that offers a unique approach on opposing positions.

It is the only book available that combines thorough discussion of the arguments behind both direct and indirect realism in a single resource, and is required reading for neuroscientists, neurophilosophers, cognitive scientists and anyone interested in conscious perception and the mind-brain connection.

Combines discussion of both direct realism and indirect realism in a single, accessible resourceProvides a thorough, well-rounded understanding of not only the opposing views of neuroscientists and philosophers on the nature of conscious perception, but also insight into why the opposition persistsOffers a unique "dialog" approach, with neuroscientists and philosophers providing responses and rebuttals to one another’s contributions

Section 1: Indirect Realists 1. The Metaphysical Foundations of Contemporary Neuroscience: A House Built on Straw 2. A Defense of Representational Realism 3. Direct Realism: A Perspective from the Neurosciences 4. Against the Combination of Materialism and Direct Realism

Section 2: Direct Realists 5. Disjunctive Naive Realism 6. A Non-naive Direct Realist Account of Perceptual Experience 7. The Epistemological version of Direct Realism 8. The Distinction between Metaphysical and Epistemological Direct Realism 9. Seeing Things 10. Conclusions