Question 1

What is the difference between Qualia and Phenomenal consciousness?

Accepted Answer

Nested, not synonymous. Qualia are the specific felt properties; phenomenal consciousness is the general there-is-something-it-is-like-ness. You can accept the second and still deny that anything matches the four-part standard conception of the first.

Question 2

How do I know if I mean Qualia rather than Phenomenal consciousness?

Accepted Answer

Readers who land here meaning Qualia rather than Phenomenal consciousness are usually searching for phrases like “what are qualia”, “is my red the same as your red”, “qualia explained”.

Aspect	Qualia	Phenomenal consciousness
Scope	Specific properties	The general fact
Denied by eliminativists	Yes	More rarely
Named	1929	1990s
Requires the four properties	On the standard view	No

Side by side

Which one did you mean?

Qualia

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