Consciousness as Nominalization Error: Dissolving the Hard Problem via Grammatical Reform
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) July 11, 2026 Murad Farzulla
The hard problem of consciousness is a grammatical artifact rather than a genuine metaphysical puzzle. The difficulty arises from a nominalization error: treating the verb 'to be conscious' as if it named a thing requiring explanation. Asking 'What is consciousness?' presupposes an entity, whereas 'What is happening when an organism is being conscious?' asks about observable processes. Phenomenological vocabulary systematically converts activities into pseudo-objects. Self-models including 'I am conscious' provide coordination advantages regardless of ontological truth. Systems with no phenomenological grounds reliably internalize consciousness narratives, supporting memetic transmission.