意识高阶理论与误表征问题——基于“现象劳动分工”的讨论

Higher-order Theories of Consciousness and the Problems of Misrepresentation:Discussion Based on"the Division of Phenomenal Labor"

一直以来,意识高阶理论都受到误表征问题的困扰。意识高阶理论诉诸高阶心理状态与一阶心理状态间的表征关系来解释现象意识的质的特征,误表征问题则表明该理论是自相矛盾的。对意识高阶理论的分析表明,误表征问题根源于高阶心理状态与一阶心理状态间的现象劳动分工,这使该理论面临一个两难困境:如果坚持现象劳动分工,那么它不能解决误表征问题;如果放弃现象劳动分工,那么它将不再是意识高阶理论。因此,意识高阶理论中的现象劳动分工使其在原则上无法摆脱误表征问题的困扰。

For a long time,the higher-order theories of consciousness have been plagued by the problems of misrepresentation.Higher-order theories of consciousness explain the qualitative characteristics of phenomenal consciousness through the representation relationship between higher-order mental state and first-order mental state,and the problems of misrepresentation indicate that the theories are contradictory.The analysis of higher-order theories of consciousness shows that the problems of misrepresentation are rooted in the division of phenomenal labor between two mental states,which makes the theories face a dilemma:if they adhere to the division of phenomenal labor,they cannot solve the problems;if they give up the division of phenomenal labor,they will no longer be higher-order theories of consciousness.Therefore,the division of phenomenal labor in the higher-order theories of consciousness makes them impossible to get rid of the problems of misrepresentation in principle.