CONSCIOUSNESS AND SUBJECTIVITY: A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RODOLFO LLINÁS AND DANIEL DENNETT

Abstract

This paper analyzes the concept of self from the contemporary theories of neuroscientist Rodolfo Llinás and philosopher Daniel Dennett. Building their notions from materialist monism, these authors agree in rejecting the notion of substantial self, raised by René Descartes. They also agree in differentiate the consciousness from self-consciousness; a distinction that is neither in the theory of David Hume nor in the theory of Descartes. Therefore, the concepts of these modern philosophers are described briefly in the first part of the paper. Later, in sections two and three, the conceptual shift from Llinás and Dennett is observed. Finally, some of the similarities and differences between these contemporary authors are highlighted.