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Updated: Jan 24, 2026
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Conscious and Non-conscious Representations of Emotional Faces in Asperger's Syndrome
Published on: July 31, 2016
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If she is conscious, what is she?
1Buckinghamshire, UK.
Summary
This paper explores consciousness, its importance, and theories attempting to bridge the mind-body gap. It examines the "hard problem" and suggests quantum physics may offer new insights.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy of Mind
- Quantum Physics
Background:
- Consciousness remains a profound mystery in science and philosophy.
- Understanding the subjective nature of awareness and its physical basis is a major challenge.
- The 'hard problem' of consciousness refers to explaining how physical processes in the brain give rise to subjective experience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review principal theories on consciousness.
- To explore attempts at solving the 'hard problem' and closing the 'explanatory gap'.
- To investigate potential contributions of quantum physics to understanding consciousness.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of major theories of consciousness.
- Philosophical analysis of the mind-body problem.
- Exploration of recent quantum physics theories related to consciousness.
Main Results:
- Several theories attempt to explain consciousness, but a definitive solution remains elusive.
- The 'explanatory gap' between subjective awareness and neural activity persists.
- Quantum physics offers a potential, albeit tentative, new avenue for research.
Conclusions:
- The nature and origin of consciousness are not yet fully understood.
- Bridging the gap between subjective experience and the physical brain is a significant scientific and philosophical hurdle.
- Further investigation into quantum mechanics may provide novel perspectives on consciousness.
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