thesis

Simplicity
In line with Swinburne’s point in The Existence of God, Chalmers argues that (127):
Any lawful relationship must be supported by fundamental laws. The case of physics tells us
that fundamental laws are typically simple and elegant; we should expect the same of the fun-
damental laws in a theory of consciousness.
Many hypotheses of consciousness suffer under this condition. Crick and Koch’s well-
known thesis that consciousness is subserved by 40Hz oscillations in the brain (1990) is one
such view. To find it scientifically plausible, we need a reason why an oscillation at that fre-
quency can cause consciousness to emerge. Similarly, a complex theory of consciousness
that had hundreds of rules would remain scientifically unsatisfying unless those rules could
be shown to follow from a few basic ones.
Causal Closure
Chalmers discusses the possibility of embracing some form of interactionism 12 in a sec-
tion discussing epiphenomenalism. To do this, he claims (156)
requires a hefty bet on the future of physics, one that does not currently seems at all promis-
ing; physical events seem inexorably to be explained in terms of other physical events.
Problems with epiphenomenalism will be discussed later and Chalmers spends some
time considering the issue. However, he maintains the view that physics is unlikely to move
in the direction required to allow consciousness to make any difference to the development
of physical events.
Structural Coherence
In arguing against materialism, Chalmers concluded that subjective experience (‘con-
12 Interactionism need not be Cartesian dualism – mental properties of physical substance could be
granted a causal role.
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