Talking to both sides

Abstract

The ‘explanatory gap’ (Levine 1983) refers to a gap between physical and phenomenal explanations of consciousness. I wish to show that we can take the gap on board and still go on to develop an explanation or model that is aware of and refers to both sides of this gap, similar to Varela's Neurophenomenology(1996). Also such a model may refer to both sides via the postulation of a descriptive instrumental variable without the need to postulate another ontological category beyond the mind's and brain's identity (Levine 1983). The variable's values will be determined by both first and third person data working in unison. Attributing consciousness to agents is done through an adaptation of Dennett’s Intentional Stance (1981). However, proposing such a model and in my use of first person data to facilitate this, Dennett will be my chief opponent, so his objections to such an approach will receive the most attention.