Theories and perspectives on consciousness
Theories and perspectives on consciousness. 1 Introduction Consciousness is a complex and elusive phenomenon that remains one of the greatest mysteries of science. , for the integrated information theory, but also for the global workspace theory) and might also be a candidate for elucidating (a part of) the—long-elusive—neuronal mechanism of general The Challenges Facing Each Theory in Explaining Consciousness. . Aug 9, 2024 · Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot a Question Ask the Chatbot a Question The word consciousness is used in a variety of ways that need to be distinguished. Overall, Freud’s theory is highly unscientific. Apr 22, 2024 · Scientific Theories on Consciousness and Death. Feb 21, 2022 · Yaron and colleagues collected and classified 412 experiments relating to four leading theories in consciousness research, providing a comprehensive overview of the field and unravelling trends This paper aims at taking a fresh look at Freudian psychoanalytical theory from a modern perspective. Theory: 1. Apr 27, 2024 · Consciousness is a complex phenomenon that has puzzled philosophers, scientists, and psychologists for centuries. We define a way in which theories can be assessed and their predictions can be tested experimentally. There are several theories that attempt to explain the nature of consciousness, each offering a unique perspective on this enigmatic concept. Neural Sep 21, 2020 · This perspective only values facts that can be generated through the scientific method and marginalizes, devalues, or even denies the validity of first-person experience. Consciousness and Self-consciousness: A Defense of the Higher-Order Thought Theory of Consciousness. These theories have occasionally used evidence from psychophysical phenomena where conscious experience is a dependent experimental variable. By doing so, we can obtain systematic understandings of each theory of consciousness, which enable us to see what part of each theory of consciousness needs to be justified and developed. to teach modal verbs and tense/aspect), and even about redefining “language” breaking through the limiting frontier of “communication”. E. other theories (for Oct 7, 2023 · Theories of consciousness must be firmly rooted in evolutionary biology (Part 1) showing how the evolutionary perspective sheds a whole lot of light on the mystery of what consciousness Aug 17, 2023 · The biological perspective reduces humans to a set of mechanisms and physical structures that are clearly essential and important (e. Gennaro, R. Scientists have also delved into the mysteries of consciousness and death, offering theories that blend empirical evidence with philosophical inquiry. This is surely a welcomed empirical acceleration. An epiphenomenon of the physical brain’s complexity beneath, consciousness appears to rise from the activity of billions of neurons, like bubbles bursting at the top of a glass of champagne. Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist born in 1856, is often referred to as the "father of modern psychology. When some of these specialists meet a Apr 2, 2024 · Freud's psychosexual theory is hard to test scientifically, leaving questions about its validity. Dec 6, 2023 · This perspective shifts the paradigm from a universe with consciousness merely in it to a universe of consciousness, with matter and physical phenomena as manifestations or expressions within this . Each of these perspectives on personality attempts to describe different patterns in personality, including how these patterns form and how people differ on an individual level. Feminist theory has developed in sociology and other disciplines since the 1970s and for our purposes will be considered a specific application of conflict theory. However, it fails to account for consciousness and the influence of the environment on behavior. Other well-developed theoretical approaches to consciousness involve Aug 18, 2021 · Theories of consciousness differ widely and are developed in isolation. However, those who reject a physicalist ontology of consciousness must find ways of modeling it as a nonphysical aspect of reality. Studying consciousness also has practical implications in areas such as education, decision-making processes, and even artificial intelligence development. The theory regards the mind as a coordinated activity of numerous highly specialized cognitive modules (Fodor, 1981, 1983) whose work is largely automatic. May 15, 2024 · As it is not feasible to cover all proposed, neuroscience-based theories of consciousness, we focus here on five that we think represent prominent and complementary perspectives: (1) global neuronal workspace theory (GNWT 6), (2) integrated information theory (IIT 7), (3) recurrent processing theory (RPT 8), (4) predictive processing (PP 9, 10, 11) and neurorepresentationalism (NREP 12, 13 This paper aims at taking a fresh look at Freudian psychoanalytical theory from a modern perspective. Various aspects of Freudian thinking are examined from a modern perspective and the relevance of the psychoanalytical theory of consciousness is projected. Some researchers suggest that consciousness may be a product of complex neural processes in the brain, which cease upon death. Some theories of consciousness (ToCs) (for example, integrated information theory (IIT) and certain versions of higher- order theory (Ho T)) address the hard problem directly. Nov 19, 2021 · A range of other properties of consciousness are explained using the theory by describing: the levels of the perceptual hierarchy, the nature of conflict, the role of memory, four different modes Apr 23, 2018 · The theory of common working space (CWS: Baars, 1988, 1997) is probably the most elaborated psychological theory of consciousness in the last 30 years. Feb 6, 2024 · Some contemporary western theories of consciousness, such as the higher-order thought (HOT) theory (Rosenthal 2005; Gennaro 2012) and self-representationalism (Kriegel 2009), hold that there is an implicit (pre-reflective) “self-awareness” that accompanies each conscious mental state. Aug 18, 2021 · This paper proposes a method to compare multiple theories of consciousness and test their predictions experimentally. 1. Sep 4, 2018 · The theory is that the self is an inferred model of endogenous, deeply hidden causes of behavior. This blinkered perspective clearly has very significant implications for psychiatry and psychology that attempt to understand the human psyche. There are three major perspectives on consciousness, at least as I see them: the spiritual, hard-prob-lem, and self-model perspectives. Step 1: Abstract Selection . 6. 5), though for most, it is a non-issue (Smithies and Stoljar, 2012). 4 and 9. Oct 7, 2023 · Theories of consciousness must be firmly rooted in evolutionary biology (Part 1) showing how the evolutionary perspective sheds a whole lot of light on the mystery of what consciousness By examining various theories and perspectives on consciousness from both scientific and philosophical angles, we can broaden our understanding of what it means to be conscious beings. According to higher-order theories, a mental state is conscious when another mental state – higher up in Nov 25, 2023 · Key points. The prize would be a few bottles of fine wine. Each theory of consciousness has its strengths and weaknesses. None. Feb 25, 2024 · While phenomenal consciousness is characterized by subjective experiences from a first-person perspective, current scientific theories of consciousness fail to address this topic. Recent years have seen a blossoming of theories about the biological and physical basis of consciousness. , people are conscious of their life, etc. Since quantum theory is the most fundamental theory of matter that is currently available, it is a legitimate question to ask whether quantum theory can help us to understand consciousness. Dualism has been criticized for its failure to explain how a non-physical substance interacts with the physical body. 3. Sigmund Freud (Born May 6th, 1856) was an Austrian neurologist widely known as the father of psychoanalysis. Koch wagered his friend that scientists would find a neural correlate of consciousness within 25 years. In this case, the conflict concerns gender inequality rather than the class inequality emphasized by Marx Aug 26, 2024 · Consciousness is inextricably bound to the workings of our brain, but how neurophysiological processes become the internal, subjective experiences that make up sentient life remains obscure. DuBois’s well-established account of “double consciousness”, develop a multitudinous identity in connection with others. Diemer 2. Mar 13, 2024 · Integrated Information Theory (IIT): IIT is a mathematical model suggesting that consciousness arises from information integration in a complex system. Mar 5, 2024 · As it is not feasible to cover all proposed, neuroscience-based theories of consciousness, we focus here on five that we think represent prominent and complementary perspectives: (1) global neuronal workspace theory (GNWT 6), (2) integrated information theory (IIT 7), (3) recurrent processing theory (RPT 8), (4) predictive processing (PP 9, 10 Nov 30, 2004 · It is widely accepted that consciousness or, more generally, mental activity is in some way correlated to the behavior of the material brain. This publication was made possible through the support of a joint grant from the John Templeton Foundation and the Fetzer Institute (Consciousness and Free Will: A Joint Neuroscientific-Philosophical Investigation (John Templeton Foundation #61283; Fetzer Institute, Fetzer Memorial Trust #4189). 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. Aug 1, 2024 · For several theories of consciousness, introspection is essential (e. (Hohwy and Michael, 2017, p. Godfrey Part I. By comparing and contrasting these theories, we can gain a deeper understanding of the nature of consciousness and its role in shaping human May 28, 2023 · From historical perspectives to the nature of consciousness itself, from states of consciousness to the enigma of self-awareness, and from the philosophy of perception to the relationship between An integrative account of consciousness should have a number of properties. In the first step, one author (Rater #1) screened the articles by title, abstract, and keywords using the following assessment scale: 0 = the article does not debate consciousness itself (the term consciousness appears in the title or the abstract but with general meaning (e. Rapa and Erin B. Jul 30, 2014 · According to Baars' theory, the act of broadcasting information around the brain from this memory bank is what represents consciousness. It has been the subject of philosophical inquiry for centuries, and more recently, scientific Understanding consciousness The word consciousness has different meanings to different people. Amsterdam & Philadelphia: John Benjamins, 1996a. Synthesizing critical consciousness and identity-based motivation to clarify how youth of color navigate and challenge racial capitalism Andres Pinedo, Gabrielle Kubi and Matthew A. Mind and Brain: A Dialogue on the Mind-Body Problem . Materialism has been challenged for its inability to explain qualia and the hard problem of consciousness. His revolutionary theories, thoughts, and challenges to the field of psychology have changed how theorists understand the mind and how psychologists treat their patients []. While vital to the human experience, it remains obscure and hidden – the ghost in the machine (Hofstadter & Dennett, 1982). 2021, 2023), promise to reduce the theory-space, and ultimately illuminate the details of how consciousness and brain activity relate. Dr. In a narrow sense, class consciousness: awareness that one is a proletarian, a worker, and has an understanding of solidarity in a class struggle against the bourgeoisie conflict theory: a theory that examines society as a competition for limited resources double consciousness: a term used to describe an individual whose identity is divided into several facets Apr 24, 2021 · 2. As a result, the topic is difficult to write about. Written by mother and daughter author team Susan Blackmore and Emily Troscianko, the book examines why the term ‘consciousness’ has no recognised Mar 12, 2024 · This section reviews key theories and studies that have shaped our understanding of consciousness, setting the context for the proposed thermodynamic and systems theory-based perspective. Another concern is that the theory is based on case studies versus research. Oct 9, 2018 · Given the breadth of neuroscience so conceived, this review focuses mostly on cortical activity that sustains perceptual consciousness, with emphasis on vision. Theories should be rigorously compared. Theories of consciousness using neurobiological data or being influenced by these data have been focused either on states of consciousness or contents of consciousness. , neurophenomenology, 9. Leading theories of consciousness include HOT, GWT, IIT, re-entry, and predictive processing theories. Sometimes the word means merely any human mental activity at all (as when one talks about the “history of consciousness”), and sometimes it means merely being awake (as in As the anesthetic wore off, the animal regained consciousness). " Jan 27, 2024 · Within this perspective, neuroethicists have proposed to rely on several theories of consciousness such as the integrated information theory [3, 10], the global neuronal workspace theory [23, 24], the temporo-spatial theory of consciousness , the higher-order theory , or the embodied approach [7, 24], among many theories and approaches Jan 25, 2024 · Freud's iceberg theory metaphorically represents the mind's three levels: the conscious (visible tip of the iceberg), the preconscious (just below the surface), and the unconscious (vast submerged portion). Jan 10, 2023 · Numerous personality theories exist, and most major ones fall into one of four major perspectives. , genes). The theory emphasizes that consciousness is a network’s property when the level of interconnectedness and integration of information, as measured by the parameter theta, reaches a threshold. And the scientific theories of consciousness are still quite far from converging into an agreed perspective. Freudian psychology is a science based on the unconscious (id) and the conscious (ego). (…) we discuss why such a set of hidden endogenous causes should qualify as a self. Oct 1, 2023 · Declaration of Competing Interest. Freud believed that the id operates on what he called the “pleasure principle,” in which the id seeks immediate gratification. Oct 12, 2021 · This Review discusses four prominent theoretical approaches to consciousness, namely higher-order theories, global workspace theories, re-entry and predictive processing theories and integrated information theory and describes the key characteristics of each approach. Another way to converge theories is to discuss which aspects they should address. The unconscious id contains our most primitive drives or urges, and is present from birth. ] “Critical theory” refers to a family of theories that aim at a critique and transformation of society by integrating normative perspectives with empirically informed analysis of society’s conflicts, contradictions, and tendencies. Jan 23, 2024 · The dendritic integration theory thus claims to provide a possible grounding at the cellular level for the large-scale theories of consciousness (e. The global workspace theory and integrated information First, we should examine how existing theories of consciousness answer each fundamental question about consciousness and what approach their advocates adopt. I argue here that they represent a progression in our Jul 18, 2024 · Psychology's most famous figure is also one of the most influential and controversial thinkers of the 20th century. Now in its fourth edition, this highly popular text is the definitive introduction to consciousness, exploring the key theories and evidence in consciousness studies ranging from neuroscience and psychology to quantum theories and philosophy. Towards the end of the book, Dennett summarizes his view of how consciousness, free will and meaning emerged from billions Mar 22, 2023 · Understanding critical and cultural theories from an African perspective is important because it broadens consciousness and aids in shedding the cloak of neocolonialism and imperialism by being cautious in the consumption of forms of contents and accoutrements that Western media has to offer through new media forms (Langmia, 2016). Introduction: critical consciousness theory and measurement: mapping the complexity of the terrain Luke J. g. This is not because visual consciousness is more important than other forms of consciousness. J. Mar 16, 2024 · Adversarial collaborations, which intend to test different theories of consciousness based on contrasting predictions (Melloni et al. For this reason, Freud’s theory is unfalsifiable – it can neither be proved true or refuted. B. Jul 1, 2023 · Dr. 363) The self, as seen from this perspective, is essentially a hierarchical model of endogenous hidden causes of sensory input. Sep 13, 2023 · Introduction and background. For example, the unconscious mind is difficult to test and measure objectively. Chalmers took the bet. Good theories guide This book reviews some of the most important scientific and philosophical theories concerning the nature of mind and consciousness. While we're aware of the conscious, the preconscious contains easily accessible memories, and the unconscious houses deep-seated desires and memories, influencing behavior despite being Nov 28, 2023 · In addition, in my view, the biggest shortcoming of all four leading theories of consciousness is their relative lack of an evolutionary perspective (a notable exception is Ledoux, quoted in Part Feb 14, 2016 · 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. It also examines the current state of theory comparison in consciousness research and suggests some guidelines to improve it. Oct 30, 2023 · Consciousness theory slammed as ‘pseudoscience’ — sparking uproar. There are currently four main theoretical approaches in consciousness science. Two major theories of consciousness are Integrated Information Theory and Global Workspace Theory. It should build upon a framework of nonconscious behavior in order to explain how and why consciousness contributes to, and addresses the limitations of, nonconscious processes. Some have issues with Freud's theory being focused more on male psychosexual development, offering very little insight into females. Acknowledgements. May 3, 2022 · To clarify this complicated landscape, we review four prominent theoretical approaches to consciousness: higher-order theories, global workspace theories, re-entry and predictive Jun 18, 2004 · Most specific theories of consciousness—whether cognitive, neural or quantum mechanical—aim to explain or model consciousness as a natural feature of the physical world. In this regard, conflict theory may be considered a progressive perspective. ); 1 = the rater doubts this article; 2 Chapter 5 Asian perspectives: Indian theories of mind; One problem that does persist for the self-representational theory is the problem of animal consciousness May 22, 2024 · Freud’s theory is good at explaining but not predicting behavior (which is one of the goals of science). It should also encompass the primary (phenomen … Interior collective perspective (lower-left) describes collective mutations in consciousness, as in Gebser's theory, focusing on "we"; Exterior individual perspective (upper-right) describes the physical (neurological) correlates of consciousness, from atoms through the nerve-system to the neo-cortex, focusing on observable behavior, "it"; Dec 12, 2023 · [Editor’s Note: The following new entry by Robin Celikates and Jeffrey Flynn replaces the former entry on this topic by the previous author. Aug 11, 2022 · Speaking as a cognitive applied linguist, the formulation of this exciting theory of consciousness cross fertilizes my language learning work in code switching, speaker perspective recognition (esp. Jun 28, 1999 · Theories of the multiplicitous self resonate with Lorde’s “sister outsider” and Collins’ “outsider-within”, which, in contrast with W. It directs impulses for hunger, thirst, and sex. Sep 4, 2023 · Consciousness is an enigma. uevk gauud lnofkg zimah sgufmip bbva eon tneqep qlho wmab