Theories of Consciousness
Key Terms
- Consciousness
- Neuroscience
- Phenomenology
- Mind and Brain
- Hard Problem of Consciousness
- Theory of Self
- Theory of Consciousness
- Atman = Brahman
- Jivatma = Paramatma
- Chetna
- Universal Consciousness
- Integrated Information Theory
- Higher Order Theories (HOT)
- Higher Order Thought
- Higher Order Perception (HOP)
- Biological Naturalism
- Panpsychism
- Quantum Consciousness Theory
- Superposition
- Entanglement
- Wave Particle Duality
- Orchestrated Objective Reduction Theory (Orch-OR)
- Neural Darwinism
- Global Workspace Theory (GWT)
Key Researchers
- Anil Seth
- Ned Block
- Thomas Nagel
- David Chalmers
- Christof Koch
- Patricia Churchland
- Galen Strawson
- John Searle
- Swami Sarvapriyananda
- Giulio Tononi
- David Rosenthal
- William Lycan
- Roger Penrose
- Stuart Hameroff
- Gerald Edelman
- Bernard Baars
Source: Mystery of the Mind: 7 Leading Theories of Consciousness Explained
Mystery of the Mind: 7 Leading Theories of Consciousness Explained
The nature of consciousness has mystified and intrigued humanity for centuries. As we progress in our understanding of the physical world, the question of what it means to be conscious remains one of the most complex and challenging inquiries in modern science. Despite this challenge, many leading theorists have developed compelling explanations for the phenomenon of consciousness. These theories seek to answer questions about the origins of our inner lives, the relationship between the mind and the brain, and the seemingly impenetrable problem of subjective experience. In this article, we’ll explore seven leading theories of consciousness, delving into their strengths, weaknesses, and historical roots.
Table of Contents
- Integrated Information Theory: Consciousness as a Web of Information
- Higher-Order Theories: Consciousness as Self-Reflection
- Biological Naturalism: Consciousness as a Biological Phenomenon
- Panpsychism: The Universal Consciousness
- Quantum Consciousness Theory: The Microscopic World Meets the Mind
- Neural Darwinism: The Evolution of Consciousness
- Global Workspace Theory: Consciousness as a Central Information Hub
- In conclusion
Integrated Information Theory: Consciousness as a Web of Information
Developed by neuroscientist Giulio Tononi in the early 2000s, Integrated Information Theory (IIT) proposes that consciousness arises from the integration of information within a system. The more interconnected and differentiated the information in a system, the higher the degree of consciousness. In other words, conscious experience is not simply a byproduct of brain activity but is fundamentally tied to the way information is structured, processed, and integrated within the brain.
IIT proposes that consciousness is quantifiable and can be measured using a mathematical value called “phi.” Phi is a measure of the degree of information integration within a system, considering both the amount of information and the complexity of its connections. According to IIT, systems with higher phi values possess a greater degree of consciousness.
A central concept in IIT is the idea of “causal power,” which refers to the ability of a system to affect its own future states. Consciousness, in this view, emerges from the causal interactions within a system, with greater causal power leading to richer conscious experiences. This approach allows IIT to provide a unified framework for understanding various aspects of consciousness, including its degrees, quality, and dynamics.
One of the most intriguing implications of IIT is its potential to extend the concept of consciousness beyond biological systems. If consciousness arises from the integration of information, then non-biological systems, such as advanced artificial intelligence, could also possess consciousness if they meet the necessary criteria.
Strengths:
- IIT offers a quantifiable measure of consciousness called “phi,” which allows for comparisons between different systems and states.
- The theory has provided a foundation for understanding the neural correlates of consciousness and the potential for artificial consciousness.
Weaknesses:
- Critics argue that IIT’s reliance on a single metric oversimplifies the complexity of consciousness.
- Some have questioned whether IIT can account for the subjective nature of conscious experience.
Higher-Order Theories: Consciousness as Self-Reflection
Higher-Order Theories (HOT) of consciousness, which originated in the 1990s with philosophers like David Rosenthal and William Lycan, propose that consciousness arises when the brain represents its own mental states. In other words, conscious experience is the result of thoughts about thoughts, or metacognition. According to HOT, unconscious mental states become conscious when they are accompanied by higher-order mental states that represent or are aware of them.
There are two main variants of HOT: Higher-Order Thought (HOT) theories, which focus on the cognitive aspect of higher-order representation, and Higher-Order Perception (HOP) theories, which emphasize the perceptual aspect. Both variants share the core idea that consciousness is a matter of self-representation, but they differ in how they conceive of the nature and role of higher-order mental states.
To further elucidate the HOT framework, it is helpful to consider an example. Imagine you are looking at a red apple. According to HOT, the perceptual experience of the red apple is an unconscious mental state. This experience becomes conscious when you have a higher-order thought that represents your experience of the apple, such as “I am perceiving a red apple.” The higher-order thought effectively “lights up” the unconscious mental state, transforming it into a conscious experience.
HOT theorists argue that this self-representational account of consciousness can explain various features of conscious experience, such as its subjective nature, introspection, and the distinction between conscious and unconscious mental states. For instance, the difference between conscious pain and unconscious pain can be understood in terms of the presence or absence of a higher-order mental state representing the pain.
Strengths:
- HOT offers a clear distinction between conscious and unconscious mental states.
- The theory provides a plausible explanation for introspection and self-awareness.
- HOT is compatible with empirical findings in cognitive neuroscience, particularly the role of the prefrontal cortex in metacognition and self-representation.
Weaknesses:
- Critics argue that HOT is circular, as it requires conscious awareness to be conscious.
- The subjective nature of conscious experience remains unexplained within the HOT framework.
- Some have questioned whether higher-order mental states are sufficient to account for the rich phenomenology of conscious experience.
Biological Naturalism: Consciousness as a Biological Phenomenon
Biological Naturalism, a theory proposed by the American philosopher John Searle, posits that consciousness is an emergent biological phenomenon resulting from specific neural mechanisms in the brain. Unlike some other theories of consciousness, Biological Naturalism maintains that conscious experience is a purely physical process, deeply rooted in the biological functioning of the brain.
At the core of Biological Naturalism is the idea that subjective conscious experiences, or qualia, are not separate from the physical world but are instead the product of the brain’s biological processes. This theory asserts that consciousness emerges from the complex interactions between neurons and other brain structures, forming a higher-level property of the brain’s activity, much like the properties of wetness in water molecules or the solidity of a table.
According to Searle, one of the key challenges in understanding consciousness from a biological perspective is to determine the specific neural correlates of consciousness (NCCs). NCCs are the minimal set of brain mechanisms or events responsible for producing a particular conscious experience. Identifying these correlates would help to bridge the gap between neuroscientific research and the subjective nature of conscious experience, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of how consciousness arises from the brain’s activity.
Strengths:
- Biological Naturalism grounds consciousness in the physical, biological world, which aligns well with empirical scientific research and the naturalistic view of the universe.
- The theory provides a solid foundation for investigating the neural mechanisms of consciousness, encouraging neuroscientific studies to reveal the specific brain processes that give rise to conscious experience.
Weaknesses:
- Biological Naturalism has been criticized for not adequately addressing the “hard problem” of consciousness, which is the question of how and why specific neural processes give rise to subjective conscious experiences.
- Some critics argue that the theory’s focus on neural correlates may not fully capture the complexity of consciousness, as it might overlook the potential contributions of other factors, such as the brain’s global neural dynamics or the interactions between different brain regions.
Panpsychism: The Universal Consciousness
Panpsychism is a philosophical theory tracing back to ancient Greece and India, which has recently been revived by contemporary philosophers like David Chalmers and Galen Strawson. Panpsychism posits that consciousness is a fundamental property of the universe, akin to mass or charge. According to this view, all physical entities, from electrons to galaxies, possess some form of consciousness or proto-consciousness, even if in a highly rudimentary form.
The core idea of panpsychism is that consciousness is not exclusive to complex biological systems, but rather is an intrinsic aspect of the fabric of reality. By attributing consciousness to all matter, panpsychism offers a unique solution to the “hard problem” of consciousness – the question of why and how certain physical processes give rise to subjective experience.
To gain a deeper understanding of panpsychism, it is important to clarify that the theory does not imply that all objects have thoughts, emotions, or self-awareness. Instead, panpsychism posits that even the most basic constituents of reality possess some form of experiential quality or “proto-consciousness.” This fundamental consciousness is thought to be combined and integrated in complex systems, such as the human brain, to give rise to the rich and varied conscious experiences we are familiar with.
One of the main challenges facing panpsychism is the so-called “combination problem.” This problem arises from the question of how individual conscious entities, such as the proto-consciousness of elementary particles, can combine to form a unified conscious experience, like the experience of a human being. Various panpsychist theorists have proposed different solutions to the combination problem, including the idea of “constitutive panpsychism,” in which higher-level conscious experiences are composed of more basic forms of consciousness.
Strengths:
- Panpsychism offers a unique solution to the “hard problem” of consciousness by positing that subjective experience is inherent to all matter.
- The theory provides a potential explanation for the emergence of consciousness in complex systems and avoids the difficulties associated with explaining how consciousness arises from non-conscious matter.
Weaknesses:
- Critics argue that panpsychism is untestable and lacks empirical support.
- The theory struggles to address the “combination problem,” which questions how individual conscious entities combine to form a unified conscious experience.
- Some have criticized panpsychism as a form of “panprotopsychism,” arguing that attributing proto-consciousness to all matter does not necessarily explain the nature of full-fledged conscious experience.
Quantum Consciousness Theory: The Microscopic World Meets the Mind
Quantum Consciousness Theory, also known as Quantum Mind Theory, posits that the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics play a significant role in the emergence and functioning of consciousness. Developed in the late 20th century by physicists and mathematicians such as Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff, this theory suggests that the microtubules within the brain’s neurons are responsible for consciousness through quantum processes.
Quantum Consciousness Theory is based on the idea that microtubules, which are tiny protein structures found within neurons, can facilitate quantum computations. These quantum computations are thought to be responsible for the emergence of consciousness. According to proponents of this theory, the unique properties of quantum mechanics—such as superposition, entanglement, and wave-particle duality—allow for the generation of conscious experience in ways that classical physics cannot explain.
To delve deeper into Quantum Consciousness Theory, it’s essential to understand the concepts of quantum superposition and entanglement. Quantum superposition refers to the ability of a quantum system to exist in multiple states simultaneously until a measurement or observation is made, at which point the system collapses into one definite state. Quantum entanglement occurs when particles become interconnected in such a way that the state of one particle directly influences the state of another, even when they are separated by vast distances. Proponents of Quantum Consciousness Theory believe that these quantum phenomena can occur within the brain’s microtubules, leading to the emergence of conscious experience.
One of the most well-known models within Quantum Consciousness Theory is the Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch-OR) model, proposed by Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff. In the Orch-OR model, consciousness arises from quantum computations that occur within microtubules. These quantum computations are thought to be orchestrated by molecular structures called tubulins, which can switch between different quantum states. When a certain threshold of tubulin activity is reached, a collapse of the quantum superposition occurs, and this collapse is hypothesized to produce a moment of conscious experience.
Strengths:
- Quantum Consciousness Theory offers an intriguing explanation for the emergence of consciousness that incorporates the exotic principles of quantum mechanics.
- The theory has inspired interdisciplinary research, bridging the gap between neuroscience, physics, and philosophy.
Weaknesses:
- Many scientists and philosophers remain skeptical of the role of quantum mechanics in consciousness, arguing that the brain’s warm, wet environment is not conducive to maintaining quantum states.
- Critics also argue that Quantum Consciousness Theory does not directly address the subjective nature of conscious experience or the “hard problem” of consciousness.
- Empirical evidence supporting the involvement of quantum processes in consciousness is limited and controversial.
Neural Darwinism: The Evolution of Consciousness
Neural Darwinism, also known as the Theory of Neuronal Group Selection, is a theory proposed by neuroscientist Gerald Edelman in the 1980s. It suggests that consciousness emerges through a process of selection among groups of neurons, akin to the principles of natural selection in biological evolution. According to Neural Darwinism, the brain’s structure and function are shaped by a competitive process in which neural circuits compete for resources and connectivity.
At the foundation of Neural Darwinism is the idea that the brain is composed of neuronal groups that are functionally interconnected. These neuronal groups, or assemblies, are constantly interacting and reconfiguring themselves based on their activity and the input they receive. Through this dynamic process, the brain’s neural networks are refined and optimized, resulting in the emergence of consciousness.
To gain a deeper understanding of Neural Darwinism, it is crucial to recognize the three main processes that drive the theory: (1) developmental selection, (2) experiential selection, and (3) reentrant signaling. Developmental selection refers to the formation of neuronal groups during development, with some groups being strengthened and others eliminated based on genetic and environmental factors. Experiential selection occurs as the brain encounters new experiences, leading to the strengthening of some neuronal groups and the weakening or elimination of others. Reentrant signaling involves the constant exchange of information between neuronal groups, which allows for the integration of information across different brain areas and the emergence of conscious experience.
Neural Darwinism posits that through these processes, the brain continually adapts and reorganizes its neural networks, giving rise to the dynamic and ever-changing nature of conscious experience. This theory emphasizes the importance of both genetic and experiential factors in shaping the structure and function of the brain and provides a compelling account of how consciousness might arise from the brain’s evolutionary processes.
Strengths:
- Neural Darwinism offers a biologically plausible account of consciousness based on the principles of evolution and natural selection.
- The theory provides a potential explanation for the individual variability of conscious experience, as each person’s brain develops and adapts differently based on their unique genetic and environmental influences.
- Neural Darwinism has been supported by various empirical findings in neuroscience, such as the observation of competitive processes in neural development and plasticity.
Weaknesses:
- Critics argue that Neural Darwinism does not directly address the subjective nature of conscious experience or the “hard problem” of consciousness.
- Some have questioned whether the principles of natural selection can be adequately applied to neural networks and their development.
Global Workspace Theory: Consciousness as a Central Information Hub
Global Workspace Theory (GWT), proposed by psychologist Bernard Baars in the 1980s, postulates that consciousness arises from the integration and sharing of information across different brain regions. According to GWT, the brain contains a “global workspace” that functions as a central information hub, allowing various cognitive processes to communicate and cooperate with each other.
At the core of GWT is the idea that conscious experience is the result of the brain’s capacity to broadcast information to a wide array of specialized cognitive processes. In this view, consciousness is not localized to a specific brain area but is a product of the dynamic interplay between different brain regions and systems.
To better understand GWT, it is useful to consider the “theater metaphor” often used to describe the theory. In this metaphor, the global workspace is likened to a theater stage, with various cognitive processes represented as actors performing on the stage. As information is processed and integrated within the global workspace, it becomes “conscious” and is broadcast to the entire “audience” of specialized cognitive processes. This broadcast allows for the integration of information across different domains and the generation of a unified conscious experience.
GWT posits that this information integration and broadcasting process is essential for consciousness, as it enables the brain to efficiently allocate resources, make decisions, and adapt to new situations. The theory suggests that conscious experience arises when information is accessible and available to multiple cognitive processes, allowing for the flexible and adaptive behavior that characterizes conscious beings.
Strengths:
- GWT provides a plausible account of the brain’s capacity to integrate and share information across different cognitive domains.
- The theory has been supported by empirical evidence from neuroscience, including findings related to the role of the prefrontal cortex and other brain areas in information integration and broadcasting.
- GWT offers a potential explanation for the functional role of consciousness in decision-making and resource allocation.
Weaknesses:
- Critics argue that GWT does not directly address the subjective nature of conscious experience or the “hard problem” of consciousness.
- Some have questioned whether the global workspace concept is sufficient to account for the rich phenomenology of conscious experience.
In conclusion
The quest to understand the enigma of consciousness has been a driving force for researchers and philosophers alike for centuries. The seven leading theories presented in this article offer a glimpse into the remarkable diversity of perspectives attempting to unravel the mysteries of the conscious mind. Each theory brings its unique insights, strengths, and weaknesses to the table, and together they paint a rich, multifaceted picture of the complex phenomenon we call consciousness.
As our scientific knowledge continues to advance, it becomes increasingly clear that the path to understanding consciousness is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It is likely that a comprehensive understanding of this enigmatic aspect of human experience will require the integration of ideas from multiple disciplines, including neuroscience, psychology, physics, and philosophy. By exploring the intersections between these theories and fostering collaboration across fields, we may gradually unravel the secrets of the conscious mind.
In the pursuit of understanding consciousness, we are not only striving to make sense of our own experiences but also to gain insight into the very essence of what it means to be human. Ultimately, the journey to comprehend consciousness is not merely an intellectual pursuit; it has profound implications for how we perceive ourselves, our place in the world, and our connections with others. The quest to decipher the mind’s mysteries is one of the most thrilling and significant adventures of human inquiry, and it is our collective curiosity, determination, and ingenuity that will propel us forward on this exciting journey.
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Key Sources of Research
An Overview of the Leading Theories of Consciousness
Organizing and comparing the major candidate theories in the field.
Ralph Lewis, M.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, a psychiatrist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and a consultant at the Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto.
Updated October 7, 2023
Understanding Higher-Order Theories of Consciousness
HOTs posit a possible way for the brain to render mental states conscious
Ralph Lewis, M.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, a psychiatrist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and a consultant at the Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto.
Updated October 7, 2023
Fame in the Brain—Global Workspace Theories of Consciousness
GWT is a strong but incomplete theory of consciousness.
Ralph Lewis, M.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, a psychiatrist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and a consultant at the Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto.
Updated October 8, 2023
An Intriguing and Controversial Theory of Consciousness: IIT
Let’s dissect the appeal and criticism of integrated information theory (IIT).
Ralph Lewis, M.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, a psychiatrist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and a consultant at the Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto.
Updated October 28, 2023 |
Mind-Body Problem: How Consciousness Emerges from Matter
Subjective experience is built from physically encoded internal representations.
Ralph Lewis, M.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, a psychiatrist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and a consultant at the Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto.
Posted January 20, 2023
Learning May Be the Key to the Evolution of Consciousness
Capacity to learn by flexible association may define and drive consciousness.
Posted November 3, 2022
Ralph Lewis, M.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, a psychiatrist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and a consultant at the Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto.
Are We Ditching the Most Popular Theory of Consciousness?
Why scientists are reevaluating the most popular definition of consciousness.
Updated October 11, 2023 |
Comparing theories of consciousness: why it matters and how to do it,
Simon Hviid Del Pin, Zuzanna Skóra, Kristian Sandberg, Morten Overgaard, Michał Wierzchoń,
Neuroscience of Consciousness, Volume 2021, Issue 2, 2021, niab019, https://doi.org/10.1093/nc/niab019
https://academic.oup.com/nc/article/2021/2/niab019/6354404
What if consciousness is not an emergent property of the brain? Observational and empirical challenges to materialistic models.
Wahbeh H, Radin D, Cannard C and Delorme A (2022)
Front. Psychol. 13:955594. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.955594
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.955594/full
Explanatory profiles of models of consciousness – towards a systematic classification,
Camilo Miguel Signorelli, Joanna Szczotka, Robert Prentner,
Neuroscience of Consciousness, Volume 2021, Issue 2, 2021, niab021, https://doi.org/10.1093/nc/niab021
Consciousness in active inference: Deep self-models, other minds, and the challenge of psychedelic-induced ego-dissolution,
George Deane,
Neuroscience of Consciousness, Volume 2021, Issue 2, 2021, niab024, https://doi.org/10.1093/nc/niab024
https://academic.oup.com/nc/article/2021/2/niab024/6360857
Local neuronal relational structures underlying the contents of human conscious experience,
Rafael Malach,
Neuroscience of Consciousness, Volume 2021, Issue 2, 2021, niab028, https://doi.org/10.1093/nc/niab028
https://academic.oup.com/nc/article/2021/2/niab028/6363668
Neuroscience of the yogic theory of consciousness,
Vaibhav Tripathi, Pallavi Bharadwaj,
Neuroscience of Consciousness, Volume 2021, Issue 2, 2021, niab030, https://doi.org/10.1093/nc/niab030
https://academic.oup.com/nc/article/2021/2/niab030/6382467
A relational approach to consciousness: categories of level and contents of consciousness,
Naotsugu Tsuchiya, Hayato Saigo,
Neuroscience of Consciousness, Volume 2021, Issue 2, 2021, niab034, https://doi.org/10.1093/nc/niab034
https://academic.oup.com/nc/article/2021/2/niab034/6397521
Time consciousness: the missing link in theories of consciousness,
Lachlan Kent, Marc Wittmann,
Neuroscience of Consciousness, Volume 2021, Issue 2, 2021, niab011, https://doi.org/10.1093/nc/niab011
https://academic.oup.com/nc/article/2021/2/niab011/6224347
https://academic.oup.com/nc/article/2021/2/niab015/6283925
Time and time again: a multi-scale hierarchical framework for time-consciousness and timing of cognition,
Ishan Singhal, Narayanan Srinivasan,
Neuroscience of Consciousness, Volume 2021, Issue 2, 2021, niab020, https://doi.org/10.1093/nc/niab020
https://academic.oup.com/nc/article/2021/2/niab020/6348789
Theories of Consciousness: An Introduction and Assessment / Edition 2
ISBN-10: 0415834090
ISBN-13: 9780415834094
Pub. Date: 02/10/2016
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Despite recent strides in neuroscience and psychology that have deepened understanding of the brain, consciousness remains one of the greatest philosophical and scientific puzzles. The second edition of Theories of Consciousness: An Introduction and Assessment provides a fresh and up-to-date introduction to a variety of approaches to consciousness, and contributes to the current lively debate about the nature of consciousness and whether a scientific understanding of it is possible.
After an initial overview of the status and prospects of physicalism in the face of the problem of consciousness, William Seager explores key themes from Descartes – the founder of the modern problem of consciousness. He then turns to the most important theories of consciousness:
- identity theories and the generation problem
- higher-order thought theories of consciousness
- self-representational theories of consciousness
- Daniel Dennett’s theory of consciousness
- attention-based theories of consciousness
- representational theories of consciousness
- conscious intentionality
- panpsychism
- neutral monism.
Thoroughly revised and expanded throughout, this second edition includes new chapters on animal consciousness, reflexive consciousness, combinatorial forms of panpsychism and neutral monism, as well as a significant new chapter on physicalism, emergence and consciousness.
The book’s broad scope, depth of coverage and focus on key philosophical positions and arguments make it an indispensable text for those teaching or studying philosophy of mind and psychology. It is also an excellent resource for those working in related fields such as cognitive science and the neuroscience of consciousness.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1. Consciousness & Physicalism 2. Themes from Descartes 3. Identity Theories & the Generation Problem 4. HOT Theory I: The Mentalistic Reduction of Consciousness 5. HOT Theory II: Animals, Mental Sophistication & Dispositions 6. Self-Representational Theories7. Dennett I: Qualia Eliminated 8. Dennett II: Consciousness Fictionalized 9. Consciousness & Attention10. Representational Theories of Consciousness I 11. Representational Theories of Consciousness II 12. Conscious Intentionality & the Anti-Cartesian Catastrophe 13. Consciousness, Information & Panpsychism 14. Panpsychism, Aggregation & Combinatorial Infusion 15. Monism & Models. Index
Higher-order Theories of Consciousness: An Anthology
edited by Rocco J. Gennaro
Unifying matter, energy and consciousness,
Mahendra Samarawickrama,
11th International Conference on Mathematical Modeling in Physical Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1063/5.0162815
https://phys.org/news/2023-10-energy-consciousness-physics-thorny-topic.html
Panpsychism: The Trippy Theory That Everything From Bananas to Bicycles Are Conscious
Do inanimate objects have a mental life? Probably not, but the question isn’t quite as absurd as it sounds.
By Avery Hurt
Feb 16, 2021
A (Very) Brief History of Consciousness
If we understand the mechanism of subjective experience, we could choose, or not, to put it into AI.
A (Very) Brief History of Consciousness
Consciousness in Artificial Intelligence: Insights from the Science of Consciousness
https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.08708
Consciousness: The last 50 years (and the next).
Seth AK.
Brain and Neuroscience Advances. 2018;2. doi:10.1177/2398212818816019
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2398212818816019
The Real Problem of Consciousness
What is it like to be you?
Posted October 21, 2021
Anil Seth, D.Phil., a professor of cognitive and computational neuroscience at the University of Sussex, is the author of Being You.
Adapted from Being You: A New Science of Consciousness by Anil Seth with permission from Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. Copyright © 2021 by Anil Seth.
“What Is Consciousness? Integrated Information vs. Inference”
Cooke, James E. 2021.
Entropy 23, no. 8: 1032. https://doi.org/10.3390/e23081032
https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/23/8/1032
An Informal Internet Survey on the Current State of Consciousness Science.
Michel M, Fleming SM, Lau H, Lee ALF, Martinez-Conde S, Passingham RE, Peters MAK, Rahnev D, Sergent C and Liu K (2018)
Front. Psychol. 9:2134. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02134
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02134/full
Models of the Mind: How Physics, Engineering and Mathematics Have Shaped Our Understanding of the Brain
by Grace Lindsay
(Bloomsbury Sigma)
https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/models-of-the-mind-9781472966421/
The Consciousness Paradox: Consciousness, Concepts, and Higher-Order Thoughts
The MIT Press
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/9780262016605.001.0001
ISBN electronic: 9780262298582
In Special Collection: CogNet
Publication date: 2011
Theories of Consciousness and the Evolutionary Origins of Consciousness
Departmental Honors in Philosophy
by Morgan R. Clouser
Lycoming College May 5, 2023
Consciousness
Theories in Neuroscience and Philosophy of Mind
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44088-9
Springer Berlin, Heidelberg
This book reviews some of the most important scientific and philosophical theories concerning the nature of mind and consciousness. Current theories on the mind-body problem and the neural correlates of consciousness are presented through a series of biographical sketches of the most influential thinkers across the fields of philosophy of mind, psychology and neuroscience. The book is divided into two parts: the first is dedicated to philosophers of mind and the second, to neuroscientists/experimental psychologists. Each part comprises twenty short chapters, with each chapter being dedicated to one author. A brief introduction is given on his or her life and most important works and influences. The most influential theory/ies developed by each author are then carefully explained and examined with the aim of scrutinizing the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches to the nature of consciousness.
David Chalmers
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 3-7Paul and Patricia Churchland
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 9-13Tim Crane
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 15-18Donald Davidson
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 19-24Daniel Dennett
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 25-28René Descartes
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 29-36Jerry Fodor
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 37-41Jaegwon Kim
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 43-47William Lycan
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 49-53Colin McGinn
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 55-59Thomas Nagel
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 61-65Alva Noë
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 67-71Hilary Putnam
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 73-78David Rosenthal
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 79-83John Searle
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 85-89
Bernard Baars
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 93-97Francis Crick and Christof Koch
Andrea Eugenio Cavanna, Andrea Nani
Pages 99-103
Theories of consciousness.
Seth, Anil & Bayne, Tim. (2022).
Nature Reviews Neuroscience. 23. 10.1038/s41583-022-00587-4.
Mystery of the Mind: 7 Leading Theories of Consciousness Explained
An Introduction to Current Theories of Consciousness
by hohenheim
Challenges for theories of consciousness: seeing or knowing, the missing ingredient and how to deal with panpsychism
2018
Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B373: 2017034420170344
http://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2017.0344
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2017.0344
Facing upto the hard question of consciousness.
Dennett DC. 2018
Phil.Trans. R. Soc. B373: 20170342.http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2017.0342
Why and how access consciousness can account forphenomenal consciousness.
Naccache L. 2018
Phil. Trans. R. Soc.B373: 20170357.http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2017.0357
One Hour of Mind-Blowing Scientific Theories on Conscious Universe
Theories and measures of consciousness: An extended framework
Anil K. Seth, Eugene Izhikevich, George N. Reeke, and Gerald M. Edelman edelman@nsi.edu
July 11, 2006
103 (28) 10799-10804
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0604347103
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0604347103
Comparing the major theories of consciousness.
Block, N. (2009).
In M. S. Gazzaniga, E. Bizzi, L. M. Chalupa, S. T. Grafton, T. F. Heatherton, C. Koch, J. E. LeDoux, S. J. Luck, G. R. Mangan, J. A. Movshon, H. Neville, E. A. Phelps, P. Rakic, D. L. Schacter, M. Sur, & B. A. Wandell (Eds.), The cognitive neurosciences (pp. 1111–1122). Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/8029.003.0099
Reconciling Current Theories of Consciousness
Sébastien Maillé and Michael Lynn
Journal of Neuroscience 4 March 2020, 40 (10) 1994-1996; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2740-19.2020
https://www.jneurosci.org/content/40/10/1994
Theories of Consciousness
https://philpapers.org/browse/theories-of-consciousness
Models of consciousness
Anil Seth (2007),
Scholarpedia, 2(1):1328.
doi:10.4249/scholarpedia.1328
http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Models_of_consciousness
The fundamental challenge of a future theory of consciousness.
Ruan Z.
Front Psychol. 2023 Jan 12;13:1029105. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1029105. PMID: 36710768; PMCID: PMC9878380.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9878380/
Higher-Order Theories of Consciousness
Theories of consciousness.
Seth, Anil; Bayne, Tim (2022).
University of Sussex. Journal contribution. https://hdl.handle.net/10779/uos.23488103.v1
https://sussex.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Theories_of_consciousness/23488103
Theory of Consciousness
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/theory-of-consciousness
What a Contest of Consciousness Theories Really Proved
A five-year “adversarial collaboration” of consciousness theorists led to a stagy showdown in front of an audience. It crowned no winners — but it can still claim progress.
https://www.quantamagazine.org/what-a-contest-of-consciousness-theories-really-proved-20230824/
Higher-Order Theories of Consciousness
SEP
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/consciousness-higher/
What are the four main theories of consciousness?
By Anil Seth
https://www.newscientist.com/question/four-main-theories-consciousness/
Consciousness
SEP
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/consciousness/
Theories of consciousness.
Seth, A.K., Bayne, T.
Nat Rev Neurosci 23, 439–452 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41583-022-00587-4
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41583-022-00587-4#citeas
Abstract
Recent years have seen a blossoming of theories about the biological and physical basis of consciousness. Good theories guide empirical research, allowing us to interpret data, develop new experimental techniques and expand our capacity to manipulate the phenomenon of interest. Indeed, it is only when couched in terms of a theory that empirical discoveries can ultimately deliver a satisfying understanding of a phenomenon. However, in the case of consciousness, it is unclear how current theories relate to each other, or whether they can be empirically distinguished. To clarify this complicated landscape, we review four prominent theoretical approaches to consciousness: higher-order theories, global workspace theories, re-entry and predictive processing theories and integrated information theory. We describe the key characteristics of each approach by identifying which aspects of consciousness they propose to explain, what their neurobiological commitments are and what empirical data are adduced in their support. We consider how some prominent empirical debates might distinguish among these theories, and we outline three ways in which theories need to be developed to deliver a mature regimen of theory-testing in the neuroscience of consciousness. There are good reasons to think that the iterative development, testing and comparison of theories of consciousness will lead to a deeper understanding of this most profound of mysteries.
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