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The investigation of consciousness through phenomenology and neuroscience

MacLennan, Bruce J. (1995) The investigation of consciousness through phenomenology and neuroscience. [Conference Paper]

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Abstract

The principal problem of consciousness is how brain processes cause subjective awareness. Since this problem involves subjectivity, ordinary scientific methods, applicable only to objective phenomena, cannot be used. Instead, by parallel application of phenomenological and scientific methods, we may establish a correspondence between the subjective and the objective. This correspondence is effected by the construction of a theoretical entity, essentially an elementary unit of consciousness, the intensity of which corresponds to electrochemical activity in a synapse. Dendritic networks correspond to causal dependencies between these subjective units. Therefore, the structure of conscious experience is derived from synaptic connectivity. This parallel phenomenal/neural analysis provides a framework for the investigation of a number of problems, including sensory inversions, the unity of consciousness, and the nature of nonhuman consciousness.

Item Type:Conference Paper
Keywords:consciousness, hard problem, phenomenology, awareness, subjectivity, protophenomenon, protophenomena, phenomeniscon, phenomenisca, objectivity, sensory inversion, unity of consciousness, experience, John Searle, Husserl, John Eccles, psychon
Subjects:Neuroscience > Neuropsychology
Philosophy > Philosophy of Mind
Philosophy > Philosophy of Science
ID Code:380
Deposited By: MacLennan, Bruce
Deposited On:13 Apr 1999
Last Modified:11 Mar 2011 08:53

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