Here are the types of sensations/sense-data/qualia/whatever that I perceive:
“Present-time” (why “present-time” and other labels, will be discussed later; they appear at this point for pedagogical reasons) Sensations
- 5 senses (visions, sounds, tastes, smells, tactile stimuli)
- Various ‘internal’ phenomena (e.g. pains, aches, numbness, exhilaration, fatigue, hunger, satisfaction, sprituality, erotics, muscle movement). I don’t really consider these distinct from normal five senses.
“Memory-related” Sensations
- Memory sensations – sensations that share many of the same qualities as these others, but with linkage between these as well as core sensations that establishes intuitive-time precedence ordering. The measurement of this linkage can be quite fine-grained, or can be very coarse and vague.
- Part-core sensations – like memory sensations, but without any time linkage. Essentially the “core” content without any time context.
“Value” (Craving/Desire) Sensations – these are sensations that indicate another sensation, possibly with the desire for more or the same sensation. These include exhilaration, joy, contentment, tender feelings/intimacy, pride, sexual pleasure, eroticism, feelings of security and safety, and the satisfaction of meaningful accomplishment. I also categorize things like cravings into this category, as I don’t currently see a reason why they would not qualify under the umbrella definition stated above. (Masochism is an interesting topic that I have not yet fully thought through, but I think it also qualifies.) Thus, there is not one single value sensation.
Intention/Action Sensations – the “I feel I am doing this” sensations.
Thinking/Perception/Analysis/Reasoning Sensations – what it is that I think I think that I am thinking. I classify my perception of my own memory processes, my perception of operating upon my own sense-data to generate statistical conclusions, hypotheses and predictions (i.e. tentative new sense-data), and other related phenomena in this category.