The Role of Scientific Results in Theories of Mind and Brain: A Conversation among Philosophers and Scientists

Maxwell: Pribram has emphasized that consciousness is important, practically important, even. It is very heartening to hear this coming from a tough-minded scientist. He comes to grips with Ryle’s “ghost in the machine” and comes to the conclusion that ghosts (of the kind that rile Ryle) really exist, and that they too are important. He talks about the world within, the reality of the subjective feelings as we live through them—through pains, joys, sorrows, red patches in the visual field, and so forth. But does this imply dualism? Pribram’s answer is a resounding “No!” His main reason appears to be that we have at least the beginnings of a neural and psychophysiological science that will account for, that is, give us the mechanism for, the production of these feelings.