Theories and methods in the scientific study of consciousness
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P. Christiaan Klink
Abstract
The scientific study of consciousness has gained much interest over the past several decades. Here, we provide a primer on the topic by introducing the most commonly used concepts, the most prominent scientific theories, and an overview of broadly used methods of studying consciousness. With a focus on visual perception, we discuss the distinction between phenomenology and cognitive accessibility in the context of the different consciousness theories and highlight elements in which these theories are either complementary or more or less in agreement.
Abstract
The scientific study of consciousness has gained much interest over the past several decades. Here, we provide a primer on the topic by introducing the most commonly used concepts, the most prominent scientific theories, and an overview of broadly used methods of studying consciousness. With a focus on visual perception, we discuss the distinction between phenomenology and cognitive accessibility in the context of the different consciousness theories and highlight elements in which these theories are either complementary or more or less in agreement.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- The constitution of visual and phenomenal consciousness 1
-
The scientific study of consciousness
- Theories and methods in the scientific study of consciousness 17
- The scientific study of coma and related states 48
- De-confounding the neural constitution of phenomenal consciousness from attention, report and memory 81
- The correlation/constitution distinction problem 104
- The neural correlates of consciousness 155
- On the various neural correlates of consciousness 177
- On why the unconscious prerequisites and consequences of consciousness might derail us from unraveling the neural correlates of consciousness 205
- The neuroevolutionary sources of mind 226
- The future of consciousness science 260
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Philosophy of mind
- The philosophy of phenomenal consciousness 273
- The philosophy of mind needs a better metaphysics 293
- The scientific evidence for materialism about pains 310
- The status of consciousness in nature 330
- Identity over time, constitution and the problem of personal identity 348
- Constitution, realization and identity 372
- Correlation, causation, constitution 400
- The material constitution of phenomenal consciousness 418
- Material constitution, the neuroscience of consciousness, and the temporality of experience 433
- The structure of phenomenal consciousness 445
- Index 465
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- The constitution of visual and phenomenal consciousness 1
-
The scientific study of consciousness
- Theories and methods in the scientific study of consciousness 17
- The scientific study of coma and related states 48
- De-confounding the neural constitution of phenomenal consciousness from attention, report and memory 81
- The correlation/constitution distinction problem 104
- The neural correlates of consciousness 155
- On the various neural correlates of consciousness 177
- On why the unconscious prerequisites and consequences of consciousness might derail us from unraveling the neural correlates of consciousness 205
- The neuroevolutionary sources of mind 226
- The future of consciousness science 260
-
Philosophy of mind
- The philosophy of phenomenal consciousness 273
- The philosophy of mind needs a better metaphysics 293
- The scientific evidence for materialism about pains 310
- The status of consciousness in nature 330
- Identity over time, constitution and the problem of personal identity 348
- Constitution, realization and identity 372
- Correlation, causation, constitution 400
- The material constitution of phenomenal consciousness 418
- Material constitution, the neuroscience of consciousness, and the temporality of experience 433
- The structure of phenomenal consciousness 445
- Index 465
