Institut Jean Nicod

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Christian List (London School of Economics)

 

Vendredi 22 janvier 2016 de 11h30 à 13h

Institut Nicod, ENS, Pavillon Jardin, 29, rue d'Ulm 75005 Paris. Salle de réunion, RDC.

Christian List
Professor of Political Science and Philosophy, Departments of Government and Philosophy, London School of Economics

"What is it like to be a group agent?"

Abstract :

The existence of group agents is relatively widely accepted. Examples are corporations, courts, NGOs, and even entire states. But should we also accept that there is such a thing as group consciousness? In this paper, I give an overview of some of the key issues in this debate and sketch a tentative argument for the view that group agents lack phenomenal consciousness, contrary to a recent suggestion by Schwitzgebel (2015). In developing my argument, I draw on integrated information theory, a much-discussed theory of consciousness. I conclude by pointing out an implication of my argument for the normative status of group agents.

PDF - Draft Version

 

 

 

 


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