Explaining subjective character : representation, reflexivity, or integration? ; A commentary on Kenneth Williford

Abstract

While Williford puts forward a self-reflexive account of subjective character, which identifies the subject of experience with episodes (or the stream) of consciousness, an alternative account is defended here that identifies the subject of experience with the whole organism. On this latter approach, a mental representation is conscious if its neural substrate is integrated into the overall neuronal state underlying the conscious state of the organism at that time. This approach avoids an important problem arising for Williford’s theory, namely the individuation of episodes. This problem is elaborated in greater detail.