從東方哲學論意識問題－以價值實踐為主的探索－

本文試著就東方哲學觀點，來探討其對現今意識研究之啟示。除前言及結論外，首先論述現今學界兩種意識概念及意識問題的區分，其中一種是科學所能解釋的，而非科學所能說明的則被稱為艱難問題。其次，試著論述意識的艱難問題，與道德特質有諸多之相似性，據此推斷意識與道德密切相關，甚至現象性意識之艱難特質，可說是道德活動的一種設計；第三，論述東西方探究心意識之不同進路，東方哲學視意識是人的根本特質，人之所以為人，能有道德行為之實踐，追求有價值的人生，乃預設意識經驗之必然存在，而意義、價值的實現取決於人的心意識狀態；由此可看出，東方哲學之意識乃著眼道德或宗教等價值面向的探討，重視的不只是知識，而且也是能力的培養。而如此重道德、重價值的觀點，正是東方哲學或宗教對意識的基本見解，而這也是真正艱難之處。第四，綜合對比東方哲學與現今英語學界對意識問題不同的探究面向及著重點，盼能在此多音齊放、多管齊下的意識探究中，助於掌握意識的全貌，而增進人類整體之幸福。

關鍵字

意識；意識經驗；艱難問題；東方哲學；價值；道德；宗教；佛學

並列摘要

This paper uses the viewpoints of Eastern Philosophy to discuss their possible inspirations to contemporary consciousness studies. First of all, two concepts of consciousness are introduced, one of them can be explained by science and the other cannot, which is also called the Hard Problem. Secondly, the similar features between morality and the Hard Problem of consciousness are discussed. Thirdly, this paper compares different approaches between the East and West to the studies of consciousness. Eastern Philosophy views consciousness as the fundamental feature of human beings. One of the reasons that human beings can pursue meaningful life is because of the necessary existence of conscious experience. It is our conscious experience that makes a valuable life possible. Therefore, consciousness in Eastern Philosophy focuses on the aspects of morality and religion, and emphasizes the training of the ability of consciousness rather than its knowledge. In brief, the aspect of value and morality is the elementary concern of Eastern Philosophy regarding the viewpoint of consciousness, and this is the truly hard problem. Finally, this paper concludes with the comparison of the basic standpoints of consciousness between the Eastern Philosophy and the contemporary English academic circle. Hopefully, one day consciousness can be fully discovered from these diverse viewpoints to enhance our comprehensive understanding of it and therefore further the happiness of human beings.