Authors:

Paul G. Skokowski

• ISBN: 9780226846064
• Published: 2026
• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Description:

Sensing Qualia: Solving the Hard Problem of Consciousness presents a new naturalistic theory of consciousness and sensory experience. Philosophers of mind and neuroscientists often debate what they call the hard problem of consciousness, that is, how we might account for qualia—our subjective experiences of phenomena like color, taste, pain, smell, and more.

In this book, Paul G. Skokowski surveys influential theories of mind since Descartes in order to establish a new theory he calls sensory naturalism, which recognizes the senses as natural detectors of physical properties in the world.

Drawing on neuroscience, physics, and philosophy, Skokowski provides a naturalistic framework for studying qualia in the physical world and explores the limits of qualia in androids and AI. The result is a compelling explanation of qualia for anyone curious about the nature of conscious experience in humans and artificial systems.

Table of Contents
List of Figures
Preface

Introduction

Section I: A Brief History of the Mind
1. Dualism
2. Epiphenomenalism
3. Behaviorism
4. Identity Theory
5. Eliminative Materialism
6. Functionalism

Section II: Three Challenges to Materialism
7. Nagel’s What-It-Is-Like Arguments
8. Kripke’s Modal Argument
9. Jackson’s Knowledge Argument

Section III: Two Theories of Qualia
10. Integrated Information Theory
11. Sensory Naturalism

Section IV: Qualia, Detection, and Time
12. Detection and Quantum Mechanics
13. Time, Sensation, and Belief

Section V: Fantastic Beasts
14. Swampman, Detection, and Experience
15. Zombies
16. Androids Then and Now

Acknowledgments
Bibliography
Index

Key Features:

A new naturalistic theory of consciousness, a clear treatment of qualia and subjective experience, an interdisciplinary approach combining neuroscience, physics, and philosophy, analysis of classic and contemporary theories of mind, and discussion of androids and AI in relation to conscious experience.

Coverage:

This book covers the hard problem of consciousness, qualia, sensory experience, the history of theories of mind, major challenges to materialism, integrated information theory, sensory naturalism, perception, detection, time, androids, zombies, and artificial intelligence.

About the Authors

Paul G. Skokowski is a scholar working at the intersection of philosophy of mind, neuroscience, and consciousness studies. In this work, he brings together major philosophical debates and scientific perspectives to develop an original account of qualia and sensory experience.

Why buy this book?

This book is an excellent choice for readers seeking a rigorous and original exploration of consciousness. It combines philosophy and neuroscience in a highly accessible way, making it valuable for academic libraries, researchers, and readers interested in the nature of mind, perception, and AI.

Keywords:

consciousness, qualia, hard problem of consciousness, philosophy of mind, neuroscience, sensory experience, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, integrated information theory, sensory naturalism

Target Audience:

philosophers of mind, neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, AI researchers, psychology scholars, university students, academic libraries, researchers in consciousness studies

Genre:

Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Science, Artificial Intelligence

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