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Consciousness can be defined as the state of being aware of and able to think about one's existence, sensations, and surroundings. It encompasses two major components: awareness and arousal. Awareness pertains to the recognition of environmental stimuli and internal states. At the same time, arousal refers to the physiological readiness to engage with these stimuli, which varies significantly between states like sleep and wakefulness.
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Related Experiment Video

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Perspectives on Neuroscience
00:26

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Consciousness and its hard problems: separating the ontological from the evolutionary.

Thurston Lacalli1

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.

Frontiers in Psychology
|July 24, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Evolutionary origins of consciousness are often overlooked. This study uses a conceptual machine to explore how electromagnetic fields or neural information processing contribute to consciousness and agency, simplifying the problem into experience and agency components.

Keywords:
EM fieldsagencymental causationorder from fluctuationsthe selftheories of consciousness

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience and Evolutionary Biology
  • Investigates the evolutionary underpinnings of consciousness.

Background:

  • Many consciousness theories neglect evolutionary roles.
  • This gap hinders understanding consciousness across species and time.
  • Biological realists need evolutionary frameworks for consciousness theories.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conceptualize the emergence of consciousness through evolution.
  • To differentiate roles of electromagnetic fields versus neural connectivity.
  • To analyze the evolution of agency in relation to consciousness.

Main Methods:

  • Employs a conceptual 'consciousness machine' for analysis.
  • Compares neurophysical theories (EM fields) with algorithmic theories (neural connectivity).
  • Examines the link between consciousness, behavior, and agency evolution.

Main Results:

  • Electromagnetic field effects may enable consciousness without agency.
  • Algorithmic theories posit neural connectivity as sufficient for consciousness.
  • Agency acquisition appears more developmental than evolutionary.

Conclusions:

  • Consciousness evolution requires understanding both experience and agency.
  • Agency may develop through learned, real-time feedback mechanisms.
  • Simplifying the problem aids in solving the evolution of consciousness.