Models of consciousness

Aspect of consciousness research

Models of consciousness are used to illustrate and aid in understanding and explaining distinctive aspects of consciousness. Sometimes the models are labeled theories of consciousness. Anil Seth defines such models as those that relate brain phenomena such as fast irregular electrical activity and widespread brain activation to properties of consciousness such as qualia. Seth allows for different types of models including mathematical, logical, verbal and conceptual models.[1][2]

## Neuroscience

[edit]

### Neural correlates of consciousness

[edit]

Main article: Neural correlates of consciousness

The Neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) formalism is used as a major step towards explaining consciousness. The NCC are defined to constitute the minimal set of neuronal events and mechanisms sufficient for a specific conscious percept, and consequently sufficient for consciousness. In this formalism, consciousness is viewed as a state-dependent property of some undefined complex, adaptive, and highly interconnected biological system.[3][4][5]

### Dehaene–Changeux model

[edit]

Main article: Dehaene–Changeux model

The Dehaene–Changeux model (DCM), also known as the global neuronal workspace or the global cognitive workspace model is a computer model of the neural correlates of consciousness programmed as a neural network. Stanislas Dehaene and Jean-Pierre Changeux introduced this model in 1986.[6] It is associated with Bernard Baars's Global workspace theory for consciousness.

### Electromagnetic theories of consciousness

[edit]

Main article: Electromagnetic theories of consciousness

Electromagnetic theories of consciousness propose that consciousness can be understood as an electromagnetic phenomenon that occurs when a brain produces an electromagnetic field with specific characteristics.[7][8] Some electromagnetic theories are also quantum mind theories of consciousness.[9]

### Orchestrated objective reduction

[edit]

Main article: Orchestrated objective reduction

Orchestrated objective reduction (Orch-OR) model is based on the hypothesis that consciousness in the brain originates from quantum processes inside neurons, rather than from connections between neurons (the conventional view). The mechanism is held to be associated with molecular structures called microtubules. The hypothesis was advanced by Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff and has been the subject of extensive debate,[10][11]

### Thalamic reticular networking model of consciousness

[edit]

Min proposed in a 2010 paper a Thalamic reticular networking model of consciousness.[12] The model suggests consciousness as a "mental state embodied through TRN-modulated synchronization of thalamocortical networks". In this model the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) is suggested as ideally suited for controlling the entire cerebral network, and responsible (via GABAergic networking) for synchronization of neural activity.

### Holographic models of consciousness

[edit]

A number of researchers, most notably Karl Pribram and David Bohm, have proposed holographic models of consciousness[13] as a way to explain number of problems of consciousness using the properties of hologram. A number of these theories overlap to some extent with quantum theories of mind.

## Medicine

[edit]

### Clouding of consciousness

[edit]

Main article: Clouding of consciousness

Clouding of consciousness, also known as brain fog or mental fog, is a term used in medicine denoting an abnormality in the regulation of the overall level of consciousness that is mild and less severe than a delirium.[14] It is part of an overall model where there's regulation of the "overall level" of the consciousness of the brain and aspects responsible for "arousal" or "wakefulness" and awareness of oneself and of the environment.[15]

## Philosophy

[edit]

### Multiple drafts model

[edit]

Main article: Multiple drafts model

Daniel Dennett proposed a physicalist, information processing based multiple drafts model of consciousness described more fully in his 1991 book, Consciousness Explained.

### Functionalism

[edit]

Main article: Functionalism (philosophy of mind)

Functionalism is a view in the theory of the mind. It states that mental states (beliefs, desires, being in pain, etc.) are constituted solely by their functional role – that is, they have causal relations to other mental states, numerous sensory inputs, and behavioral outputs.

## Sociology

[edit]

Main article: Sociology of human consciousness

Sociology of human consciousness uses the theories and methodology of sociology to explain human consciousness. The theory and its models emphasize the importance of language, collective representations, self-conceptions, and self-reflectivity. It argues that the shape and feel of human consciousness is heavily social.

## Spirituality

[edit]

### Eight-circuit model of consciousness

[edit]

Main article: Eight-circuit model of consciousness

Timothy Leary introduced[16] and Robert Anton Wilson[17] and Antero Alli[18] elaborated the Eight-circuit model of consciousness as hypothesis that "suggested eight periods [circuits] and twenty-four stages of neurological evolution".

## See also

[edit]

* Artificial consciousness
* Bicameral mentality (Bicameral mind theory)
* Computational theory of mind
* Consciousness causes collapse
* Cosmic Consciousness
* Critical consciousness
* Damasio's theory of consciousness
* Electromagnetic theories of consciousness
* Hard problem of consciousness
* Higher consciousness
* Higher-order theories of consciousness
* Holographic consciousness
* Integral theory (Ken Wilber)
* Integrated information theory
* Mind–body problem
* Neural correlates of consciousness
* Neurophysics (Physics of consciousness)
* Orchestrated objective reduction
* Panpsychism
* Phenomenology (philosophy) (Noetic Consciousness)
* Philosophy of mind
* Primary consciousness
* Qualia (First-person consciousness)
* Quantum mind
* Self model (Self-model theory of subjectivity)
* Structuralism (psychology)
* Theory of mind
* Theory of mind in animals
* Type physicalism (Identity theory of mind)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Seth, Anil (2007). "Models of consciousness". Scholarpedia. 2 (1): 1328. Bibcode:2007SchpJ...2.1328S. doi:10.4249/scholarpedia.1328.
2. ^ Seth, A. K. & Baars, B. J. 2005 Neural Darwinism and consciousness. Consciousness and Cognition 14, 140-168
3. ^ Crick F. and Koch C. (1990) Towards a neurobiological theory of consciousness. Seminars in Neuroscience Vol2, 263–275.
4. ^ Koch, Christof (2004). The quest for consciousness: a neurobiological approach. Englewood, US-CO: Roberts & Company Publishers. ISBN 0-9747077-0-8.
5. ^ Squire, Larry R. (2008). Fundamental neuroscience (3rd ed.). Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-374019-3.
6. ^ Dehaene S, Changeux JP. Experimental and theoretical approaches to conscious processing. Neuron. 2011 Apr 28;70(2):200-27.
7. ^ Pockett, Susan (2000). The Nature of Consciousness: A Hypothesis. iUniverse. ISBN 0-595-12215-9.
8. ^ Pockett, Susan (2012). "The electromagnetic field theory of consciousness: a testable hypothesis about the characteristics of conscious as opposed to non-conscious fields". Journal of Consciousness Studies. 19 (11-12): 191–223. ISSN 1355-8250.
9. ^ Mari Jibu; Kunio Yasue {1995}. Quantum brain dynamics and consciousness. John Benjamins Publishing. ISBN 1-55619-183-9.
10. ^ Hameroff, Stuart; Penrose, Roger (March 2014). "Consciousness in the universe: A review of the 'Orch OR' theory". Physics of Life Reviews. Elsevier. 11 (1): 39–78. doi:10.1016/j.plrev.2013.08.002. PMID 24070914.
11. ^ Hameroff, Stuart; Penrose, Roger (March 2014). "Reply to seven commentaries on "Consciousness in the universe: Review of the 'Orch OR' theory"". Physics of Life Reviews. Elsevier. 11 (1): 104–112. doi:10.1016/j.plrev.2013.11.014.
12. ^ Min, B. K. (2010). A thalamic reticular networking model of consciousness. Theoretical Biology and Medical Modelling, 7(1), 10. https://tbiomed.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/1742-4682-7-10
13. ^ Joye, Shelli R. (2017-03-25). "Tuning the Mind in the Frequency Domain: Karl Pribram's Holonomic Brain Theory and David Bohm's Implicate Order". Cosmos and History: The Journal of Natural and Social Philosophy. 13 (2): 166–184\. ISSN 1832-9101.
14. ^ Plum and Posner's diagnosis of stupor and coma. Oxford University Press. 2007
15. ^ Augusto Caraceni; Luigi Grassi (2011). Delirium: Acute Confusional States in Palliative Medicine. Oxford University Press
16. ^ Leary, Timothy (1987). Info-Psychology. (Seventh Print, 2011). New Falcon Publications. p. xii. ISBN 1-56184-105-6.
17. ^ Wilson, Robert Anton (1983). Prometheus Rising. (Reprint - 1992). New Falcon Publications. ISBN 1-56184-056-4.
18. ^ Alli, Antero (2009). The Eight-Circuit Brain: Navigational Strategies for the Energetic Body. Vertical Pool Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9657341-3-4.