Experimental Sciences of Mind and Naturalized Phenomenology

Year 2025, Issue: 81, 108 - 131, 15.07.2025

M. Kaan Özkan

https://doi.org/10.58634/felsefedunyasi.1688220

Abstract

The aim of this study is to discuss how a non-reductive relationship can be established between experimental brain sciences and phenomenology. Sciences treat phenomenal experiences as brain facts. However, the “explanation gap” caused by the “hard problem” cannot be eliminated by sciences. As a matter of fact, the historical development of cognitive sciences provides a good example of this. It has been revealed in the first part of this study through this historical course that scientific studies cannot avoid facing problems arising from phenomenal experience. The fact that the problem regarding the dimension of phenomenal experience remains unsolved necessitates the contribution of phenomenology. For this purpose, in the second part of the article, the scientific criticism and contextual and methodological contribution of traditional phenomenology are discussed. The scientific and phenomenological approach to human experience ultimately entails the necessity of constructing a relationship between brain sciences and phenomenology. This relationship can be established at various levels and forms. In this regard, in the last part of the study, three approaches are addressed and how phenomenology can interact with brain sciences in a non-reductive manner is discussed.

Keywords

Cognitive sciences , phenomenology-science relationship , phenomenal experience , naturalizing phenomenology

Deneysel Zihin Bilimleri ve Doğallaştırılmış Fenomenoloji

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı, deneysel zihin bilimleri ile fenomenoloji arasında indirgeyici olmayan bir ilişkinin nasıl kurulabileceğini tartışmaktır. Bilimler fenomenal deneyimleri beyin olguları olarak ele alırlar. Ancak, “zor problem”in doğurduğu “açıklama boşluğu” bilimler tarafından bertaraf edilememektedir. Nitekim deneysel zihin bilimlerinin bir örneği olan kognitif bilimlerin tarihsel gelişim seyri buna iyi bir örnektir. Bilimsel çalışmaların fenomenal deneyim kaynaklı problemlerle karşı karşıya kalmaktan kaçınamayacağı, bu tarihsel seyir aracılığıyla bu çalışmanın ilk bölümünde ortaya konmuştur. Fenomenal deneyim boyutuyla ilgili problemin çözümsüz kalması ise fenomenolojinin katkısına ihtiyaç doğurur. Bu amaçla, yazının ikinci bölümünde geleneksel fenomenolojinin bilim eleştirisi ile içeriksel ve yöntemsel katkısı ele alınmıştır. İnsani deneyime bilimsel ve fenomenolojik yaklaşım sonuç itibariyle zihin bilimleri ile fenomenoloji arasında bir ilişki inşa etme gerekliliğini beraberinde getirmektedir. Bu ilişki ise çeşitli düzey ve şekillerde kurulabilir. Bu doğrultuda, çalışmanın son bölümünde üç yaklaşım biçimi ele alınmış ve fenomenolojinin deneysel bilimlerle indirgeyici olmayan bir etkileşim içerisine nasıl girebileceği tartışılmıştır.

Keywords

Kognitif bilimler , fenomenoloji-bilim ilişkisi , fenomenal deneyim , fenomenolojinin doğallaştırılması

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