The Neural Structure of Consciousness

A novel physicalist solution of the hard problem of consciousness, rooted in neural structure.

Joseph Mendola (Author)

9781009514798, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 18 September 2025

270 pages
23.5 x 16 x 2 cm, 0.54 kg

Consciousness is an intriguing mystery, of which standard accounts all have well-known difficulties. This book examines the central question about consciousness: that is, the question of how phenomenal features of our experience are related to physical features of our nervous system. Using the way in which we experience color as a central case, it develops a novel account of how consciousness is constituted by our neural structure, and so presents a new physicalist and internalist solution to the hard problem of phenomenal consciousness, with respect specifically to sensory qualia. The necessary background in philosophy and sensory neurophysiology is provided for the reader throughout. The book will appeal to a range of readers interested in the problems of consciousness.

1. Introduction
2. Neuralia on earth
3. The whole nervous system model
4. The modal structure of color qualia
5. Some other senses
6. Visual space
7. Time, cause, and particularity
8. Summary and objection
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Philosophy of mind [HPM]