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microconsciousness theory
Also known as: micro-consciousness, micro-level consciousness, micro-consciousnesses, micro-consciousness theory, microconsciousnesses
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Global Versus Local Theories of Consciousness and the ... link.springer.com 13 facts
claimThe axiom of composition in Integrated Information Theory posits that all conscious states are structured and composed of several features, which occur after binding, whereas Semir Zeki's theory of microconsciousness suggests that conscious states occur at an earlier stage.
claimThe micro-consciousness theory posits that consciousness is not necessarily unified, allowing for the existence of multiple parts or 'snatches' of consciousness.
claimIn the micro-consciousness theory framework, neither top-down influences nor long-distance neural connections are required for the emergence of consciousness.
claimIn Semir Zeki's framework, multiple microconsciousnesses co-exist and are either interpenetrating and integrated or erased at a higher level when they are integrated into a macroconscious state.
claimThe microconsciousness theory defends the motto that 'processing systems are also perceptual systems.'
claimSemir Zeki’s theory of microconsciousness is categorized as a local theory of consciousness.
referenceSemir Zeki's microconsciousness theory posits that consciousness is not a global, unitary phenomenon, but rather involves multiple consciousnesses co-existing and distributed across distinct processing sites within the visual system.
referenceZeki introduces a hierarchy between micro-consciousnesses and unified consciousness, where a macro-consciousness (unified consciousness) emerges at a higher level when attributes from different processing subsystems are merged.
claimSemir Zeki's 'microconsciousness theory' posits that minimal neural networks are capable of supporting a form of consciousness.
perspectiveZeki argues that binding is not a necessary condition for the emergence of conscious experience, proposing instead that each subsystem in the brain has the ability to generate a 'microconsciousness' of its own, allowing for the separate experience of attributes like color, motion, and form.
claimCritics of the micro-consciousness theory argue that processing by neural subsystems is a necessary but not sufficient condition for consciousness.
quoteVisual consciousness consists of many, functionally specialized, micro-consciousnesses which are spatially and temporally distributed if they are the result of activity at spatially distributed sites (as in the case of color and motion). This we believe to be the direct consequence of the fact that the several, parallel, multinodal, functionally specialized, and autonomous processing systems are also perceptual ones and that activity at each node of each processing-perceptual system can become perceptually explicit.
claimMicroconsciousness theory posits that consciousness does not require high levels of system complexity but rather the replication of 'perceptual sites' in vitro, allowing experience to emerge from local brain activity.
Non-physicalist Theories of Consciousness cambridge.org Dec 20, 2023 7 facts
claimIntegrated Information Theory can be combined with the fusion view of consciousness because the theory claims that consciousness corresponds to maximal Φ, implying that the macroconsciousness of a system with maximal Φ would replace the micro-consciousness of its constituents.
claimEmergent panpsychism posits that microconsciousness causally produces macroconsciousness.
claimConstitutive panpsychism posits that macroconsciousness is constituted by microconsciousness or micro-entities possessing microconsciousness that are related in specific ways.
claimEmergent panpsychism is compatible with the existence of an epistemic gap because it treats microconsciousness and macroconsciousness as distinct cause and effect, which implies an ontological gap.
claimThe combination problem is the challenge of explaining how complex macroconsciousness (found in humans and animals) arises from the combination of simple microconsciousness (found in particles or other microphysical entities) or protoconsciousness.
claimThere is an epistemic gap between microconsciousness and macroconsciousness, meaning it is difficult to conceive how micro-entities combine to form a unified macroconsciousness.
claimIf an epistemic gap undermines the physicalist claim that consciousness is constituted by the physical, it should also undermine the dual-aspect panpsychist claim that consciousness is constituted by microconsciousness.
The function(s) of consciousness: an evolutionary perspective frontiersin.org Nov 25, 2024 2 facts
perspectiveZeki (2003) proposes a view of consciousness as 'small,' constructed of smaller modules or 'micro-consciousnesses,' where each module is independently capable of producing conscious sensations.
claimUnder the 'micro-consciousness' theory, explaining the function of any single module would be sufficient to explain consciousness as a phenomenon.
Panpsychism - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy plato.stanford.edu Jul 18, 2017 2 facts
perspectivePhilip Goff (2006, 2017) argues that panpsychists may be unable to provide a wholly intelligible explanation for how macro-level consciousness emerges from micro-level consciousness, which challenges Galen Strawson's claim that panpsychism avoids radical emergence.
claimConstitutive panpsychism is the view that facts about human and animal consciousness are not fundamental, but are grounded in, realized by, or constituted of facts about more fundamental, micro-level consciousness.