The science of consciousness does not need another theory, it needs a minimal unifying model

Neuroscience of Consciousness
Wanja Wiese

Abstract

This article discusses a hypothesis recently put forward by Kanai et al., according to which information generation constitutes a functional basis of, and a sufficient condition for, consciousness. Information generation involves the ability to compress and subsequently decompress information, potentially after a temporal delay and adapted to current purposes. I will argue that information generation should not be regarded as a sufficient condition for consciousness, but could serve as what I will call a "minimal unifying model of consciousness." A minimal unifying model (MUM) specifies at least one necessary feature of consciousness, characterizes it in a determinable way, and shows that it is entailed by (many) existing theories of consciousness. Information generation fulfills these requirements. A MUM of consciousness is useful, because it unifies existing theories of consciousness by highlighting their common assumptions, while enabling further developments from which empirical predictions can be derived. Unlike existing theories (which probably contain at least some false assumptions), a MUM is thus likely to be an adequate model of consciousness, albeit at a relatively general level. Assumptions embodied in such a model ...Continue Reading

References

Sep 28, 2005·Progress in Brain Research·Axel Cleeremans
Jan 14, 2010·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Karl Friston
Aug 7, 2010·PloS One·Clive R RosenthalDavid Soto
Nov 26, 2011·Current Biology : CB·David SotoJuha Silvanto
Jun 2, 2012·Philosophy and Phenomenological Research·Nicholas Shea
Nov 7, 2012·Brain Structure & Function·Rick A AdamsKarl J Friston
Jan 21, 2014·NeuroImage·Marta GandollaNick S Ward
Aug 28, 2014·Consciousness and Cognition·Paul Thagard, Terrence C Stewart
Jun 23, 2015·The Behavioral and Brain Sciences·Ezequiel MorsellaAdam Gazzaley
May 27, 2016·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Giulio TononiChristof Koch
Oct 22, 2016·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Jennifer M WindtEvan Thompson
Jul 19, 2017·ELife·Darinka TrübutschekStanislas Dehaene
Dec 14, 2017·Trends in Cognitive Sciences·Cyriel M A Pennartz
Mar 20, 2018·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience·Marjan PersuhJacob Berger
May 12, 2018·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Karl J FristonHoward Bowman
Jun 14, 2018·Frontiers in Psychology·Wanja Wiese
Dec 5, 2019·Neuroscience of Consciousness·Ryota KanaiNicholas Guttenberg
Jan 3, 2020·Consciousness and Cognition·Shun Nakano, Masami Ishihara

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 27, 2021·AJOB Neuroscience·Tsutomu SawaiHideya Sakaguchi
May 25, 2021·Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·Brian KeyDeborah J Brown
Aug 31, 2021·Neuroscience of Consciousness·Camilo Miguel SignorelliRobert Prentner
Oct 16, 2021·Neuroscience of Consciousness·Wiktor Rorot

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

ArXiv
Xerxes D. ArsiwallaPaul F M J Verschure
Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science
Luis Manuel Flores-González
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved