Explaining Qualia: A Proposed Theoretical Framework for Addressing the Hard Problem of Consciousness DOI Open Access
Leandro Castelluccio

Published: Aug. 30, 2024

The enigma of consciousness, particularly the subjective and ineffable nature qualia (our inner conscious experience), poses one most challenging puzzles in contemporary philosophy cognitive science—the "hard problem". Grounded interdisciplinary perspectives from mind neuroscience, this article introduces a novel theoretical framework aimed at elucidating mysterious providing comprehensive explanation for hard problem consciousness. Emphasizing intricate relationship between identity, experience, analyzing brain's “atomic nature”, proposed model challenges reductionist that solely attribute consciousness to brain function. Here, role identity is integrated, emphasizing its centrality comprehending phenomena. Rejecting simplistic views equating states with mental states, also questions exclusive reliance on information integration theories. suggested contends experience transcends corresponding activity, introducing dualistic perspective involves non-physical information. uniqueness human underscored, contrasting it artificial intelligence, highlighting as vital sustaining emotions, genuine comprehension, engaging complex behaviors. paper advocates holistic recognizes non-material dimension pivotal shaping behavior. This integrative approach seeks contribute both discourse empirical investigations, fostering deeper understanding

Language: Английский

Advances in Nanoarchitectonics: A Review of “Static” and “Dynamic” Particle Assembly Methods DOI Open Access
Karaneh Eftekhari, Bogdan V. Parakhonskiy, Dmitry Grigoriev

et al.

Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(5), P. 1051 - 1051

Published: Feb. 24, 2024

Particle assembly is a promising technique to create functional materials and devices from nanoscale building blocks. However, the control of particle arrangement orientation challenging requires careful design methods conditions. In this study, static dynamic are reviewed, focusing on their applications in biomaterial sciences. Static rely equilibrium interactions between particles substrates, such as electrostatic, magnetic, or capillary forces. Dynamic can be associated with application external stimuli, electric fields, magnetic light, sound, manipulate non-equilibrium state. This study discusses advantages limitations well nanoarchitectonic principles that guide formation desired structures functions. It also highlights some examples biomaterials have been fabricated by assembly, biosensors, drug delivery systems, tissue engineering scaffolds, artificial organs. concludes outlining future challenges opportunities for review stands crucial scholars professionals field, fostering further investigation innovation. necessity continuous research refine these methodologies devise more efficient techniques nanomaterial synthesis. The potential ramifications healthcare technology substantial, implications diagnostic tools, disease treatments, energy storage, environmental science, electronics.

Language: Английский

Citations

15

Fields or firings? Comparing the spike code and the electromagnetic field hypothesis DOI Creative Commons
Tam Hunt,

Mostyn W. Jones

Frontiers in Psychology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14

Published: July 20, 2023

Where is consciousness? Neurobiological theories of consciousness look primarily to synaptic firing and “spike codes” as the physical substrate consciousness, although specific mechanisms remain unknown. Synaptic results from electrochemical processes in neuron axons dendrites. All neurons also produce electromagnetic (EM) fields due various mechanisms, including electric potential created by transmembrane ion flows, known “local field potentials,” but there are more meso-scale macro-scale EM present brain. The functional role these has long been a source debate. We suggest that fields, both their local global forms, may be primary seat working gestalt with other aspects neuroanatomy marvelous complexity minds. call this assertion “electromagnetic hypothesis.” brain produces not identical anatomy These produced by, with, brain, same manner twigs leaves tree’s branches trunk trunk. As such, represent granular, spatially temporally, brain’s structure functioning than seem sensitive small changes discuss issues spike code approach well lines evidence supporting our argument consciousness. This (which occupies most paper) suggests oscillating neural make circuits oscillate, help unify guide conscious cognition.

Language: Английский

Citations

15

Planetary consciousness incites probably transcendent feelings and deepens the polarization of worldviews DOI Open Access
Andrzej Brodziak, Danuta Abram, Alicja Różyk-Myrta

et al.

Qeios, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 19, 2023

The authors postulate that their recently published theory explaining the essence of human self-awareness is useful to consider whether a personal planetary consciousness emerging on our planet. Their earlier posits feeling can be effectively explained when it assumed arises as result interaction three processes, namely qualia, recurrent activity neural circuits realizing self-image, and formation brain's electromagnetic field, important for sense subjectivity. This allows in next stage inference possible find analogical elements processes scale. specify layers distributed intelligence Earth. them concept global brain. believe recent, quite unexpected, widespread use new global-scale artificial systems such Chat/GPT an argument favor Next, mention first known intuitions related consciousness, especially Teilhard de Chardin's noosphere. also indicate observable manifestations existence alleged consciousness. They people's transcendent feelings should considered its manifestation. hypothesize observed polarization worldviews magnified by authors, drawing analogy between brain hemisphere specialization planet's two ideological blocks, conclude it's vital patiently moderate conflicts accept altering this pattern unfeasible. Some other practical conclusions are formulated.

Language: Английский

Citations

6

Approaching the nature of consciousness through a phenomenal analysis of early vision. What is the explanandum? DOI Creative Commons

Bruno Forti

Frontiers in Psychology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15

Published: March 18, 2024

Loorits (2014) identifies the solution to hard problem of consciousness in possibility fully analyzing seemingly non-structural aspects structural terms. However, research on conducted recent decades has failed bridge explanatory gap between brain and conscious mind. One reason why cannot be filled, consequently remains hard, is that experience neural structure are too different or "distant" directly compatible. Conversely, can found phenomenal experience. possible alternative, therefore, seek not substrate, but within itself, through a analysis qualitative experience, starting from its simplest forms. An essential premise reformulate explanandum consciousness, which usually attributed qualia what it like certain state. these properties do allow us identify fundamental Sensations such as redness red painfulness pain inseparable context they belong, making appear artifacts. Furthermore, early vision. They involved perceptual organization necessarily have relational significance. The unitary set qualities vision-such those related being an object, background detail-constitutes forms seems imply justifying structure. Although vision characterized by interdependent components form whole, we find consciousness. Phenomenal appearance alone does seem sufficient closeness characteristics prompts delve into less explored territory, using also explanans.

Language: Английский

Citations

1

Laying the foundations for a theory of consciousness: the significance of critical brain dynamics for the formation of conscious states DOI Creative Commons
Joachim Keppler

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 18

Published: April 26, 2024

Empirical evidence indicates that conscious states, distinguished by the presence of phenomenal qualities, are closely linked to synchronized neural activity patterns whose dynamical characteristics can be attributed self-organized criticality and phase transitions. These findings imply insight into mechanism which brain controls transitions will provide a deeper understanding fundamental manages transcend threshold consciousness. This article aims show initiation formation is due coupling zero-point field (ZPF), plays central role in quantum electrodynamics (QED). The ZPF stands for ubiquitous vacuum fluctuations electromagnetic field, represented spectrum normal modes. With reference QED-based model calculations, details revealed, suggesting critical dynamics governed resonant interaction with most abundant neurotransmitter glutamate. pyramidal neurons cortical microcolumns turn out ideally suited control this interaction. A direct consequence glutamate-ZPF amplification specific modes, leads us conclude key consciousness distinctive feature neurophysiological processes associated experience consists modulating ZPF. Postulating an inherently sentient assuming qualities modes ZPF, significance states becomes apparent inextricably excitation qualities. theory consciousness, according arise through given acronym TRAZE. An experimental setup specified used test corollary theory, namely, prediction normally occurring perceptions absent under conditions disrupted.

Language: Английский

Citations

1

Mental causation: an evolutionary perspective DOI Creative Commons
Thurston C. Lacalli

Frontiers in Psychology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15

Published: April 29, 2024

The relationship between consciousness and individual agency is examined from a bottom-up evolutionary perspective, an approach somewhat different other ways of dealing with the issue, but one relevant to question animal consciousness. Two are identified that would decouple two, allowing limited kind exist without agency: (1) reflex pathways incorporate conscious sensations as intrinsic component (InCs), (2) reflexes consciously conditioned dependent on synaptic plasticity not memory (CCRs). Whether InCs CCRs more than hypothetical constructs clear, in any case theories where depends directly EM field-based effects. Consciousness agency, we experience it, then belongs third category allows for deliberate choice alternative actions (DCs), key difference this CCR-level DCs require access explicit systems whereas do not. nevertheless useful heuristic standpoint conceptual model how inputs could act refine routine behaviors while evolution optimize phenomenal (i.e., qualia) absence counterintuitive result. However, so long required precondition memory-dependent DC-level processes, later have evolved first. If so, adaptive benefit when it first may be linked much role plays encoding memories function. possibility theoretical construct, played consciousness, argues against focussed exclusively higher-order functions appropriate way deal evolved, develops early postnatal period life, or experiences animals ourselves. An perspective also resolves problem free will, best treated property species rather individuals belonging whereas, contrast, attribute individuals.

Language: Английский

Citations

1

The hidden structure of consciousness DOI Creative Commons

Bruno Forti

Frontiers in Psychology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15

Published: April 8, 2024

According to Loorits, if we want consciousness be explained in terms of natural sciences, should able analyze its seemingly non-structural aspects, like qualia, structural terms. However, the studies conducted over last three decades do not seem bridge explanatory gap between physical phenomena and phenomenal experience. One possible way is seek structure within itself, through a analysis qualitative aspects First, this leads us identify explanandum concerning simplest forms experience qualia but unitary set qualities found early vision. Second, it hypothesize that also made up non-apparent parts, there exists hidden consciousness. This structure, corresponding simple visual experience, constituted by Hierarchy Spatial Belongings nested each other. Each individual Belonging formed primary content space. The can traced perceptibility contents distinguish field. space responsible for perceptible itself. phenomenon I refer as subtraction visibility allows characterize phenomenally negative . hierarchical relationships ensure nature components perceptual organization, such object, background, detail. presents are decidedly counterintuitive compared our idea on one hand, explain vision their appearance whole, while other might more easily explicable brain organization. In words, considered which, placing itself at an intermediate level properties, contribute bridging gap.

Language: Английский

Citations

0

Explaining Qualia: A Proposed Theoretical Framework for Addressing the Hard Problem of Consciousness DOI Open Access
Leandro Castelluccio

Published: Aug. 30, 2024

The enigma of consciousness, particularly the subjective and ineffable nature qualia (our inner conscious experience), poses one most challenging puzzles in contemporary philosophy cognitive science—the "hard problem". Grounded interdisciplinary perspectives from mind neuroscience, this article introduces a novel theoretical framework aimed at elucidating mysterious providing comprehensive explanation for hard problem consciousness. Emphasizing intricate relationship between identity, experience, analyzing brain's “atomic nature”, proposed model challenges reductionist that solely attribute consciousness to brain function. Here, role identity is integrated, emphasizing its centrality comprehending phenomena. Rejecting simplistic views equating states with mental states, also questions exclusive reliance on information integration theories. suggested contends experience transcends corresponding activity, introducing dualistic perspective involves non-physical information. uniqueness human underscored, contrasting it artificial intelligence, highlighting as vital sustaining emotions, genuine comprehension, engaging complex behaviors. paper advocates holistic recognizes non-material dimension pivotal shaping behavior. This integrative approach seeks contribute both discourse empirical investigations, fostering deeper understanding

Language: Английский

Citations

0