DRAFT: Forthcoming in Journal of Consciousness Studies, 2007 14(1-2) "Consciousness and Realism"∗

ABSTRACT: There is a long and storied history of debates over "realism " that has touched literally every academic discipline. Yet realism-antirealism debates play a relatively minor role in the contemporary study of consciousness. In this paper four basic varieties of realism and antirealism are explored (existential, epistemological, semantic, and ontological) and their potential impact on the study of consciousness is considered. Reasons are offered to explain why there is not more debate over these issues, including a discussion of the powerful influence of externalist versions of physicalist realism. Examples are given of approaches to consciousness studies that challenge contemporary versions of physicalist realism. “Realism ” refers to a wide range of different theories ranging from what things exist in the universe to the very nature of existence itself. The vast majority of these theories fall within a few broad categories. The purpose of this essay is to explain the essential features of each of these basic categories; first, as they can be articulated independent of any particular subject matter, and then as each one is applied to the present object of study, “consciousness.” There is a good deal of variation in the classification systems used to sort the myriad versions of realism. I recommend the following types of realism as drawing the most salient distinctions: existential, epistemological, semantic, and ontological. 1. Existential Realism To be an existential realist about anything is to believe that that thing “really exists, ” that it is included within one's ontological commitments. One can be committed to the existence of a single object, a token (e.g., Big Ben, my wedding ring), and/or to the existence of a kind or a type (e.g., clocks, gold)