Science of consciousness: unsolved problems

The article discusses the most important issues related to the study of phenomenology of consciousness: the problem of the explanatory gap and cognitive function of awareness. In the analysis of awareness there were allocated phenomenal and qualitative aspects. The analysis of the phenomenal aspect assumes an explanation of empirical manifestations (effects of consciousness), thereby making it possible theoretical reconstruction of the logic of conscious activity. However, qualia ("the way it is experienced") provides subjective evidence of subject's experiences and is essential condition of awareness. Based on the accumulated experimental data there was suggested a possible solution of the problem of cognitive function of awareness. It is shown that the specific role of consciousness in the cognitive activity implementation is to detect errors, which is the prerequisite for their subsequent elimination.