Can Science Account for Consciousness?
Psychology Today
by Walter Veit Ph.D. February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Science’s ability to fully explain consciousness remains a contentious issue, particularly within philosophical circles. The article delves into the debate between panpsychism, which posits that consciousness is fundamental and ubiquitous, and naturalistic approaches that seek to understand consciousness through physical science. While panpsychists argue that introspection provides unique insights into consciousness, critics like the author counter that this view overestimates the reliability of introspection and risks bias by aligning it with preconceived philosophical frameworks.
The discussion highlights two key aspects of panpsychism: the nature of consciousness as understood from personal experience and the limitations of physical science in explaining subjective states. Panpsychists, such as Philip Goff, emphasize that inner experiences offer a distinct perspective on consciousness that cannot be fully captured by scientific methods alone. However, the author challenges this notion, suggesting that rigorous philosophical reflection, while valuable, may not necessarily surpass empirical evidence in understanding consciousness.
The article also critiques panpsychism’s reliance on what it perceives as the failure of science to reduce conscious states to brain processes, arguing that this reflects a misunderstanding of how scientific explanations work. The author emphasizes that physical science plays a crucial role in explaining consciousness, even if it doesn’t account for every aspect of subjective experience.
Ultimately, the debate underscores the importance of understanding consciousness not just for philosophical inquiry but also for health and mental health applications. Consciousness science has implications for treating conditions like depression, anxiety, and neurological disorders, as well as for developing artificial intelligence that mimics human cognition. The ability to integrate introspective insights with empirical data will be key to advancing this field and improving mental health outcomes.
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Originally published on Psychology Today on 2/19/2026