Phenomenal Consciousness and Will

Qualia are experienced within phenomenal consciousness, while psychological consciousness is the functional aspect of consciousness. The latter is a function of matter and can be regarded as material; however, most philosophers believe that phenomenal consciousness, which is the experiential aspect of consciousness, cannot intervene in the causal processes of the material world. I challenge this assumption by presenting various pieces of counter-evidence. According to their argument, qualia should have no consequences. However, pleasant-pleasurable qualia seem to induce behaviors favorable to life (even though, according to their argument, it should be impossible for them to influence behavior). Therefore, beginning from the fact of the existence of phenomenal consciousness, I discussed the relationship between phenomenal consciousness and will, and, finally, will itself. I believe that, because phenomenal consciousness exists, it must be useful for the survival of conscious animals. However, to be useful, phenomenal consciousness must influence their will to change their behaviors, thereby increasing their fitness for survival. I explored what this influence is and how it is possible. The benefit for the person who possesses phenomenal consciousness must be something that cannot be achieved based on “cognition” that is not derived from phenomenal consciousness. I focused on pleasure and pain; the experience of a value-qualia, such as pleasure and pain, prompts a certain action, and consequently, I can act with an understanding of what I should do. Actors who lack this understanding tend to act irrationally in situations that cannot be navigated via instinctive action. This understanding constitutes the advantage I am seeking that can be gained only through phenomenal consciousness. The will can be exercised only insofar as it is the will of an animal. Even if a machine possessed a will, it would not attempt to use it for a purpose of its own choosing. Only an animal with a qualia experience can intentionally seek pleasure and avoid pain. Furthermore, only those who have a purpose can exercise their will as per that purpose. For the will to be “influenced” by the phenomenal consciousness that operates outside the material world, the will must have freedom from material necessity. Moreover, to receive the “influence” of qualia experience, the will must also be able to experience qualia and be immaterial. And, of course, on the other hand, the will must be able to act on matter for the sake of action. I believe that we should explore the big questions of what consciousness is and what will is, only in the context of animal consciousness and animal will. From this standpoint, I have made some suggestions on the above questions in this paper.