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Published on: July 1, 2014
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Integrated information theory: from consciousness to its physical substrate.
Giulio Tononi1, Melanie Boly2, Marcello Massimini3
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin, 6001 Research Park Boulevard, Madison, Wisconsin 53719, USA.
Nature Reviews. Neuroscience
|May 27, 2016
Summary
Integrated Information Theory explains consciousness by examining phenomenal experience and the brain. This theory proposes that consciousness requires maximum cause-effect power, aiding in assessing non-communicative patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy of Mind
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- The relationship between consciousness and the brain remains a significant challenge in science.
- Existing theories struggle to fully account for the subjective nature of phenomenal experience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss how Integrated Information Theory (IIT) explains the link between consciousness and the brain.
- To outline the core principles of IIT and its implications for understanding consciousness.
Main Methods:
- The article presents an opinion-based discussion of IIT.
- IIT derives requirements for the physical substrate of consciousness from the essential properties of phenomenal experience.
Main Results:
- IIT posits that the physical substrate of consciousness must possess maximum intrinsic cause-effect power.
- The theory offers a framework for quantifying the quality and quantity of experience.
Conclusions:
- IIT provides a novel framework for understanding consciousness and its neural correlates.
- The theory's predictions may lead to new methods for assessing consciousness in patients with impaired communication.
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