Picture of Evan Thompson
A key area of the study of consciousness in phenomenology. This field focuses on studying the subjective nature of consciousness from an objective lens. Evan Thompson is a key philosopher in the study of phenomenology.
Evan Thompson focuses on the phenomenology of consciousness. He defines consciousness as the ability to make one self-aware (Batchelor, 2014). Thompson has explored the role of lucid dreams and out-of-body experiences in consciousness which has allowed for achieving new states of consciousness not experienced before (Batchelor, 2014). He adopts a view of materialism, and believes that consciousness is biologically rooted in the brain (Batchelor, 2014). As a result, Thompson believes that there are various levels of consciousness that can make us self-aware that is rooted purely in materialism.
Thompson's view of consciousness can have significance for human life. For one, it suggests that we as humans can vary in our self-awareness at different points in time. It also suggests that we may be able to access new states of consciousness when we dream. Overall, Thompson provides a unique view on consciousness with his work in phenomenology.
References:
Batchelor, E. T. F. by S. (2014). Waking, Dreaming, Being: Self and Consciousness in Neuroscience, Meditation, and Philosophy (p. 496 Pages). Columbia University Press.
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