Categorising Qualatitive States: Some Problems

Jose Luis Bermudez
Stirling University

Abstract This paper explores some foundational problems in the categorisation of qualitative states. I approach this issue as a philosopher. I will try to bring out, though, why the issue is essentially interdisciplinary. Philosophical thinking about qualitative states leads directly to consideration of the techniques used in psychophysics and psychomentrics P particularly the techniques used to provide an operational understanding of qualitative identity. Evaluating whether this operational understanding of qualitative identity is adequate, however, immediately intersects with several important areas of philosophical enquiry. The thoughts that I will sketch out are largely programmatic. They point towards defining an interdisciplinary research programme.