>>The common view, I would guess, of anyone following along would tend to believe that mind, observation, is a result of matter doing its things; there is nothing supernatural about our minds.
>
>It looks like we'd have to clarify the philosophical issues first.


We are clarifying the philosophical issues.

By discussing the relationship of mind and matter that is precisely what we're doing. There is no need to go do something else first.

Be clear: do you think consciousness is something "special" besides matter interacting via the fundamental forces?



>You may want to read Kant's Critique of Pure Reason.

Already have, thanks.