<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This paper argues for the claim that the mental ontology required for what has been called the “Phenomenal Intentionality Theory” (PIT) should be understood in terms of mental events or episodes, not mental states that instantiate phenomenal properties because the former but not the latter has a kind of temporal shape. I begin by laying out the basic commitments of PIT. I then introduce the notion of “temporal shape” and defend the following simple but powerful argument: (1) If conscious experiences are phenomenal mental states that instantiate phenomenal properties, then the phenomenal character of these experiences will lack a temporal shape. (2) The phenomenal character of conscious experience typically has a temporal shape. (3) Therefore, conscious experiences are not mental states that instantiate phenomenal properties.</p>
</abstract>

This paper argues for the claim that the mental ontology required for what has been called the “Phenomenal Intentionality Theory” (PIT) should be understood in terms of mental events or episodes, not mental states that instantiate phenomenal properties because the former but not the latter has a kind of temporal shape. I begin by laying out the basic commitments of PIT. I then introduce the notion of “temporal shape” and defend the following simple but powerful argument: (1) If conscious experiences are phenomenal mental states that instantiate phenomenal properties, then the phenomenal character of these experiences will lack a temporal shape. (2) The phenomenal character of conscious experience typically has a temporal shape. (3) Therefore, conscious experiences are not mental states that instantiate phenomenal properties.

Phenomenal Intentionality and the Temporal Shape of Experience

Disputatio

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Phenomenal Intentionality and the Temporal Shape of Experience"}

This paper argues for the claim that the mental ontology required for what has been called the “Phenomenal Intentionality Theory” (PIT) should be understood in...

Phenomenal Intentionality and the Temporal Shape of Experience

Publié en ligne: 05 juil. 2024

Pages: 55 - 89

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/disp-2023-0003

Mots clés
mental states, phenomenal intentionality, phenomenal properties, temporal experience

© 2023 Christopher M. Stratman, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Phenomenal Intentionality and the Temporal Shape of Experience

Publié en ligne: 05 juil. 2024

Pages: 55 - 89

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/disp-2023-0003

Mots clésmental states, phenomenal intentionality, phenomenal properties, temporal experience

© 2023 Christopher M. Stratman, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Mots clés
mental states, phenomenal intentionality, phenomenal properties, temporal experience