[Physicist]

The physicalist, in my view, does not leap to the conclusion before he has made the observation, i.e. is not philosophically prejudiced. That's why I call Penrose a true scientist.

"Appropriate physical action of the brain evokes awareness" -- Roger Penrose

He says that some (but not all) of the inquiry into consciousness is beyond science

"My own position is that the questions of the mind, though they lie uncomfortably with present-day scientific understanding, should not be regarded as being forever outside the realm of science." --Roger Penrose

Penrose believes it is beyond our current understanding of science. Few materialists would disagree with that. Penrose does not believe that it will always be so.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for your reply!

No doubt there is much overlapping between the term materialism and physicalism - which no doubt leads to their being interchanged in common usage. But like the previous discussion on observer, the words have a technical meaning, and you made the distinction in what you said:

Penrose believes it is beyond our current understanding of science. Few materialists would disagree with that. Penrose does not believe that it will always be so.