Caging
the Beast: A Theory of Sensory Consciousness
_
Advances in Consciousness Research
by Paula
Droege. John Benjamin Publishing Company,
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Philadelphia,
PA, U.S.A., 2004. 181 pp. Paper.
ISBN: 1-58811-391-4.
Reviewed by Rob Harle
recluse@lis.net.au
Caging The Beast: A Theory of Sensory
Consciousness is the latest release
in the series Advances in Consciousness
Research (AiCR) from John Benjamins Publishing.
There are already fifty volumes published
in this series which is indicative of
the amount of work going on in this field
and also the intractability of understanding
the phenomenon of consciousness.
This book by Paula Droege is an attempt
to provide a theory of sensory
consciousness, how it differs from unconscious
states and why a physical brain gives
rise to such states such as, "...the rich
and luxurious qualities of red velvet"
or the enticing fragrance of "fresh-brewed
coffee".
Caging The Beast is not an breezy
read, which is really only to be expected
given the complexity of the subject matter.
However, Droege does a good job in providing
a methodical and logical presentation
of her theory, including a Test Run
in Chapter 5.
The book consists of five chapters and
an important appendix, together with an
excellent bibliography and a barely adequate
index. Chapter One - On Sensory Consciousness
discusses the nature of sensory consciousness,
including the theories of other researchers.
Chapter Two - On Higher-order Theories
of Consciousness, analyses the so
called higher-order theory of consciousness,
objections to this theory and formulates
an alternative, flat theory of sensory
consciousness. Chapter Three - Solving
The Problem of Spot-sight is an intriguing
look at the phenomenon of Dretskes
case of "spot-sight" and Dennetts
game of "thimble-seeking". Chapter Four
- Subjectivity takes a critical
look at this much confused phenomenon
and includes discussion of Nagels
notion of subjectivity. Chapter Five -
Testing The Theory does just this
by pitting it against the rhetorical objections
of Block, Dennett and Rosenthal, among
others.
The final chapter
is an appendix entitled - A Speculative
Hypothesis which deals with the brain,
neurophysiology and "locating" sensory
consciousness. This section failed to
address my concern, which nagged me throughout
the book, that no mention was made of
the research of Hobson [1] nor indeed
the work of D. Gelernter [2] or B. O.
States [3]. The omission of Hobsons
work in any discussion concerning brains,
neurophysiology and consciousness is simply
unforgivable. In, The Chemistry of
Conscious States Hobson clearly explains
the difference between conscious and nonconscious
awareness, backed up by considerable empirical
research.
States and Gelernters philosophical
work supports Hobsons scientific
experimental studies and deserve mention
in any attempt to explain consciousness.
Even if a researcher does not agree with
their theories and findings, they are
important enough to include for attempted
refutation. I must say though, this lacuna
is not unique to Droege. It seems any
research into consciousness should include
all the serious research literature available.
If for no other reason than, the extreme
scientific reductionist approach of attempting
to locate consciousness somewhere specific
in the "brain", has so far failed.
Perhaps sensory conscious states, if they
are, "
coordinated representations
of the present moment" (p. 145) are located
in cells distributed throughout the entire
network of a complex-functioning-system.
Recent research has shown that the heart
has neuronal cells similar to the brains
and makes decisions independent of the
brain see The Institute of Heartmath
[4]. If this research is correct it indicates
that the brain is most definitely not
the sole repository of consciousness,
sensory or otherwise.
Maybe the whole scientific reductionist
approach is myopic and looking through
the wrong glasses, as Clark says:
It [fundamental mind-matter separation]
persists in the way we
study brain and mind, excluding as "peripheral"
the roles of the
rest of the body and the local environment.
It persists in the lack
of attention to the ways the body and
local environment are literally
built into the processing loops that result
in intelligent action.[5]
These caveats aside, this book is
a useful addition to the literature of
the quest to understand consciousness,
both students and researchers alike will
benefit from its inclusion in their library.
References:
1 J.A. Hobson The Chemistry
of Conscious States. Boston. Little
Brown & Co. 1994.
2 D. Gelernter The Muse In The
Machine: Computerizing the Poetry of Human
Thought. New York. Free Press, Macmillan.
1994.
4 The Institute
of Heartmath Boulder Creek, CA. www.heartmath.org
5 A. Clark
Being There: Putting, Brain, Body &
Mind Together Again. Cambridge, MA.
Bradford Book, MIT Press. 1997.