Developments in Illusionism about Consciousness

Abstract

    Illusionism about phenomenal consciousness is the view that claims that phenomenal consciousness does not exist, but merely seems to exist. As the reductionist approach to consciousness has seemed stuck, panpsychism and illusionism have raised as the alternatives. Recently, illusionism has attracted those who hesitate to hold panpsychism. Illusionism may liberate study of consciousness from the metaphysical preoccupations by debunking the hard problem of consciousness as a pseudo problem. Instead, illusionists suggests that what we should address is the illusion problem: why do we believe that phenomenal consciousness exists, even though it does not?