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A physicalist reinterpretion of ‘phenomenal’ spaces

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Abstract

This paper argues that phenomenal or internal metrical spaces are redundant posits. It is shown that we need not posit an internal space-time frame, as the physical space-time suffices to explain geometrical perception, memory and planning. More than the internal space-time frame, the idea of a phenomenal colour space has lent credibility to the idea of internal spaces. It is argued that there is no phenomenal colour space that underlies the various psychophysical colour spaces; it is parasitic upon physical and psychophysical colour spaces. The argumentation is further extended to other sensory spaces and generalised quality spaces.

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  1. Department of Philosophy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Lieven Decock

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Decock, L. A physicalist reinterpretion of ‘phenomenal’ spaces. Phenom Cogn Sci 5, 197–225 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11097-005-9006-7

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