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Single Idea 4933
[filed under theme 17. Mind and Body / E. Mind as Physical / 7. Anti-Physicalism / b. Multiple realisability
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Full Idea
The conscious 'dynamic core' of the brain can maintain its unity over time even if its composition may be constantly changing, which is the signature of a process as opposed to a thing.
Gist of Idea
Consciousness is a process, not a thing, as it maintains unity as its composition changes
Source
G Edelman / G Tononi (Consciousness: matter becomes imagination [2000], Ch.12)
Book Ref
Edelman,G/Tononi,G: 'Consciousness: how matter becomes imagination' [Penguin 2000], p.152
A Reaction
This is the functionalists' claim that the mind is 'multiply realisable', since different neurons can maintain the same process. 'Process' strikes me as a much better word than 'function'. These theories capture passive mental life better than active.
The
21 ideas
from G Edelman / G Tononi
5793
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Concepts and generalisations result from brain 'global mapping' by 'reentry'
[Edelman/Tononi, by Searle]
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4922
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Consciousness involves interaction with persons and the world, as well as brain functions
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4924
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A conscious human being rapidly reunifies its mind after any damage to the brain
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4923
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The three essentials of conscious experience are privateness, unity and informativeness
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4925
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Brains can initiate free actions before the person is aware of their own decision
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4926
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Concepts arise when the brain maps its own activities
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4928
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Brain complexity balances segregation and integration, like a good team of specialists
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4927
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Information-processing views of the brain assume the existence of 'information', and dubious brain codes
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4929
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Dreams and imagery show the brain can generate awareness and meaning without input
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4930
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Consciousness arises from high speed interactions between clusters of neurons
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4932
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A conscious state endures for about 100 milliseconds, known as the 'specious present'
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4931
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Consciousness is a process (of neural interactions), not a location, thing, property, connectivity, or activity
[Edelman/Tononi]
|
4933
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Consciousness is a process, not a thing, as it maintains unity as its composition changes
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4935
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The sensation of red is a point in neural space created by dimensions of neuronal activity
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4936
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The self is founded on bodily awareness centred in the brain stem
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4934
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Cultures have a common core of colour naming, based on three axes of colour pairs
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4937
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Systems that generate a sense of value are basic to the primitive brain
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4939
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A sense of self begins either internally, or externally through language and society
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4938
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Prior to language, concepts are universals created by self-mapping of brain activity
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4941
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Consciousness can create new axioms, but computers can't do that
[Edelman/Tononi]
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4940
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Physicists see information as a measure of order, but for biologists it is symbolic exchange between animals
[Edelman/Tononi]
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