Philosophy

Download as docx, pdf, or txt
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 3

1

Is unconsciousness just obscured consciousness?

Your Name
University
Course Name
Professor
Date
2

Is unconsciousness just obscured consciousness?


Is unconsciousness just obscured consciousness?

I. Introduction

Unconsciousness and obscured consciousness are two terms that have long been
discussed in the field of philosophy. Unconsciousness is commonly defined as a state in which
an individual lacks awareness or responsiveness to external stimuli, while obscured
consciousness refers to a state in which one's conscious experience is partially or fully hidden
from their own awareness. This topic holds great relevance in philosophy as it delves into the
nature of human consciousness and raises questions about the relationship between conscious
and unconscious states.

II. Unconsciousness as distinct from obscured consciousness

To understand whether unconsciousness can be considered as just an obscured form of


consciousness, it is important to examine the characteristics and nature of both states.
Unconsciousness typically involves a complete absence of awareness, with individuals being
unable to perceive or respond to their surroundings. On the other hand, obscured consciousness
suggests that there may still be elements of conscious experience present but not accessible to
immediate awareness.

III. Arguments for unconsciousness being just obscured consciousness

Some argue that unconsciousness is merely a state of concealed or hidden consciousness.


They propose that even though individuals may appear completely unresponsive during periods
of unconsciousness, there could still be underlying conscious processes occurring at a level that
cannot be directly observed or accessed by external stimuli.

IV. Arguments against unconsciousness being just obscured consciousness

Counterarguments challenge the notion that unconsciousness is equivalent to obscured


consciousness. These perspectives emphasize fundamental differences between these states,
highlighting how unconsciousness entails a complete lack of subjective experience and access to
mental contents, whereas obscured consciousness implies some degree of access or potentiality
for access.

V. Conclusion

In conclusion, while there are arguments suggesting that unconsciousness might be


viewed as nothing more than an obscure form of consciousness, counterarguments assert
distinctive features separating these two states entirely. The debate around this topic continues in
philosophical discourse with ongoing research shedding light on various aspects related to
human cognition and neuroscience. Further exploration and investigation are necessary to gain
deeper insights into the nature of consciousness and its relationship with unconsciousness.
3

References
Maciejewicz, Bartosz. "Neuroscience of Consciousness: Cognition, Physics and Philosophy of
Decoding the Human Brain." Journal of Applied Cognitive Neuroscience, vol. 3, no. 2,
2022, article e00274600. doi:10.17981/jacn.3.2.2022.02.

Francken, J. C., et al. "An Academic Survey on Theoretical Foundations, Common Assumptions
and the Current State of Consciousness Science." Neuroscience of Consciousness, vol.
2022, no. 1, 2022. doi:10.1093/nc/niac011.

You might also like