"Mental states and processes are (or are normally) conscious states and processes, and the consciousness which irradiates them can engender no illusions and leaves the door open for no doubts."
— Ryle, Gilbert (1900-1976)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Hutchinson
Date
1949
Metaphor
"Mental states and processes are (or are normally) conscious states and processes, and the consciousness which irradiates them can engender no illusions and leaves the door open for no doubts."
Metaphor in Context
What sort of knowledge can be secured of the workings of a mind? On the one side, according to the official theory, a person has direct knowledge of the best imaginable kind of the workings of his own mind. Mental states and processes are (or are normally) conscious states and processes, and the consciousness which irradiates them can engender no illusions and leaves the door open for no doubts. A person's present thinkings, feelings and willings, his perceivings, rememberings and imaginings are intrinsically 'phospherescent'; their existence and their nature are inevitably betrayed to their owner. The inner life is a stream of consciousness of such a sort that it would be absurd to suggest that the mind whose life is that stream might be unaware of what is passing down it.
(pp. 13-4)
(pp. 13-4)
Categories
Provenance
Reading
Citation
Ryle, Gilbert. The Concept of Mind. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1984.
Date of Entry
02/04/2010
