Supplemental Reading: The Problem with Reductionism
Elyse Purcell
The Problem with Reductionism
Nagel also takes aim at reductionism, the idea that we can explain consciousness by reducing it to physical processes in the brain. Sure, scientists can tell you how neurons fire when a bat echolocates, but that doesn’t explain what it feels like to use echolocation.
He argues that objective descriptions (like brain scans or scientific models) just don’t capture the subjective character of conscious experience. If science leaves out “what it’s like,” it’s missing something crucial.
Nagel suggests that the subjective nature of consciousness might be beyond what humans can fully understand—our brains just aren’t equipped to bridge the gap between the physical and the experiential. It’s a humbling thought: maybe there are limits to what we can know about consciousness.
Why It Matters
Nagel’s bat question isn’t just about bats. It’s a metaphor for the mystery of consciousness. We can study brain activity, map neurons, and build AI systems, but none of that gets us closer to understanding what it’s like to be someone—or something—else. And maybe that’s the beauty of it: consciousness is deeply personal, inherently subjective, and, in many ways, still beyond our reach.
Philosopher Ned Block gives us two handy categories to make sense of it all: Phenomenal Consciousness and Access Consciousness.
Phenomenal Consciousness: The “What It Feels Like” Side
Imagine biting into a crisp, juicy apple. You don’t just know it’s red—you feel its redness, taste its tartness, and sense its crunch. That’s phenomenal consciousness, all about the raw, subjective experience of being in a mental state. It’s the warm sun on your face, the zing of cold water, or even the bittersweet ache of nostalgia. It’s the part of your mind that asks, “What’s it like to be me right now?”
Access Consciousness: The Functional Side
Now let’s flip the coin. Access consciousness isn’t about how something feels; it’s about what you do with it. This is the type of consciousness you use to make decisions, have conversations, and get things done. Think of it as the practical, task-focused version of your mind, like pulling up mental files to write a paper or deciding not to eat another cookie. It’s not about the taste of the cookie—it’s the mental gears turning as you debate whether you should have one more.
Why does this matter? Well, understanding these two sides of consciousness gives us insight into how our minds juggle experiences and action. They’re like two dance partners—one vibing to the music, the other planning the choreography.
By breaking down these ideas, we see just how layered consciousness really is—from the way we experience the world to the way we navigate it. So, what do you think: Is the mind more than just neurons firing away, or is there something deeper to our sense of self and awareness? Let’s keep peeling back the layers.
