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How can one investigate phenomenal consciousness? As in other areas of science, the investigation of consciousness aims for a more precise knowledge of its phenomena, and the discovery of general truths as well as the description of individual differences. This requires the development of systematic investigative methods, including combinations of first-person, second-person and third-person methods. This book introduces some of the creative ways in which this can be achieved for different investigative purposes, e.g. for understanding the relation of consciousness to brain, for examining or transforming consciousness as such, and for understanding the way individual experience is influenced by social, clinical and therapeutic contexts. To clarify the interplay of methodology and epistemology in this new, interdisciplinary field, the book also suggests a number of "maps" of the consciousness studies terrain that place different approaches to the study of consciousness into a broader context, establishing their domain of applicability and providing some bases for synthesis.
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Investigating Phenomenal Consciousness Advances in Consciousness Research Edited by Max Velmans INVESTIGATING PHENOMENAL CONSCIOUSNESS ADVANCES IN CONSCIOUSNESS RESEARCH ADVANCES IN CONSCIOUSNESS RESEARCH provides a forum for scholars from different scientific disciplines and fields of knowledge who study consciousness in its multifaceted aspects. Thus the Series will include (but not be limited to) the various areas of cognitive science, including cognitive psychology, linguistics, brain science and philosophy. The orientation of the Series is toward developing new interdisciplinary and integrative approaches for the investigation, description and theory of consciousness, as well as the practical consequences of this research for the individual and society. Series A: Theory and Method. Contributions on the development of theory and method in the study of consciousness. EDITOR Maxim I. Stamenov (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) EDITORIAL BOARD David Chalmers (University of Arizona) Gordon G. Globus (University of California at Irvine) Ray Jackendoff (Brandeis University) Christof Koch (California Institute of Technology) Stephen Kosslyn (Harvard University) Earl Mac Cormac (Duke University) George Mandler (University of California at San Diego) John R. Searle (University of California at Berkeley) Petra Stoerig (Universität Düsseldorf) Francisco Varela (C.R.E.A., Ecole Polytechnique, Paris) Volume 13 Max Velmans (ed.) Investigating Phenomenal Consciousness New methodologies and maps INVESTIGATING PHENOMENAL CONSCIOUSNESS NEW METHODOLOGIES AND MAPS Edited by MAX VELMANS University of London JOHN BENJAMINS PUBLISHING COMPANY AMSTERDAM/PHILADELPHIA 8 TM The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences — Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ansi z39.48–1984. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Investigation phenomenal consciousness : new methodologies and maps / edited by Max Velmans p. cm. -- (Advances in consciousness research, ISSN 1381-589X ; v. 13) Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Phenomenological psychology. 2. Consciousness. I. Velmans, Max, 1942- II. Series BF204.5.I58 2000 153--dc21 00-039749 ISBN 90 272 5133 9 (Eur.) / 1 55619 193 6 (US) (Pb only; alk. paper) © 2000 – John Benjamins B.V. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, photoprint, microfilm, or any other means, without written permission from the publisher. John Benjamins Publishing Co. • P.O.Box 75577 • 1070 AN Amsterdam • The Netherlands John Benjamins North America • P.O.Box 27519 • Philadelphia PA 19118-0519 • USA