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This is a quote or paraphrased idea attributed to Tim Bayne, a philosopher of mind known for his work on consciousness. Here's how to unpack the quote and its meaning:
❓ Quote (SBQ style)
“Is consciousness like jazz — something hard to pin down? Or is it more like the biology of dolphins — odd, but natural?”
— Tim Bayne
🔍 What does it mean?
Bayne is drawing a contrast between two ways of understanding consciousness:
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🎷 Jazz metaphor:
Suggests that consciousness is vague, mysterious, improvisational, and possibly resistant to scientific explanation — like trying to define jazz or its essence. -
🐬 Dolphin biology metaphor:
Implies that consciousness, while perhaps strange or unique, is still a natural phenomenon — fully explainable in biological or physical terms, like any other part of the natural world.
🧠 Bayne’s Position (as reflected in his work)
Tim Bayne leans toward the second view — that consciousness, though complex and surprising, is a natural phenomenon and can be studied scientifically, much like the biology of dolphins.
He's critical of mystical or dualistic approaches that treat consciousness as inherently beyond scientific understanding.
✅ One-Line Gist
Bayne challenges whether consciousness is a mysterious anomaly or just another complex, natural part of life — strange, but explainable.
Would you like a summary of Bayne’s key ideas on consciousness (e.g., from The Unity of Consciousness)?
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