A conceptual framework for consciousness

Abstract

This article argues that consciousness has a logically sound, explanatory framework, different from typical accounts that suffer from hidden mysticism. The article has three main parts. The first describes background principles concerning information processing in the brain, from which one can deduce a general, rational framework for explaining consciousness. The second part describes a specific theory that embodies those background principles, the Attention Schema Theory. In the past several years, a growing body of experimental evidence—behavioral evidence, brain imaging evidence, and computational modeling—has addressed aspects of the theory. The final part discusses the evolution of consciousness. By emphasizing the specific role of consciousness in cognition and behavior, the present approach leads to a proposed account of how consciousness may have evolved over millions of years, from fish to humans. The goal of this article is to present a comprehensive, overarching framework in which we can understand scientifically what consciousness is and what key adaptive roles it plays in brain function.

Introduction to Bayesian Mindsponge Framework analytics: An innovative method for social and psychological research

“…From a metaphysical standpoint, anything can be examined in terms of information [70] . We make sense of the world based on the information we receive, and all science disciplines need to work with information [71] , including human consciousness [72] . Therefore, BMF analytics offers researchers great flexibility to research multiple and interdisciplinary topics in various fields.…”

Illusions, objectivity, and non-reductive emergentism: Reply to Rose

“…There is, to be sure, a danger of talking past between philosophers and psychologists (“grand illusion,” Noë, 2002; “controlled hallucination,” Seth, 2021), but given that nowadays more and more psychologists are willing to discuss conceptual/philosophical questions directly (e.g., Graziano, 2022; Seth & Bayne, 2022; Stewart, 2022), it is important for philosophers to look into these contributions from empirical scientists. The author hopes that this commentary can serve this purpose.…”

Introduction to Bayesian Mindsponge Framework analytics: an innovative method for social and psychological research. MethodsX, 101808

“…From a metaphysical standpoint, anything can be examined in terms of information [70] . We make sense of the world based on the information we receive, and all science disciplines need to work with information [71] , including human consciousness [72] . Therefore, BMF analytics offers researchers great flexibility to research multiple and interdisciplinary topics in various fields.…”