Single Idea 4931

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 1. Consciousness / b. Essence of consciousness]

Full Idea

Consciousness is neither a thing, nor a simple property. ..The conscious 'dynamic core' of the brain is a process, not a thing or a place, and is defined in terms of neural interactions, not in terms of neural locations, connectivity or activity.

Gist of Idea

Consciousness is a process (of neural interactions), not a location, thing, property, connectivity, or activity

Source

G Edelman / G Tononi (Consciousness: matter becomes imagination [2000], Ch.12)

Book Reference

Edelman,G/Tononi,G: 'Consciousness: how matter becomes imagination' [Penguin 2000], p.144


A Reaction

This must be of great interest to philosophers. Edelman is adamant that it is not any specific neurons. The nice question is: what would it be like to have your brain slowed down? Presumably we would experience steps in the process. Is he a functionalist?