On the various neural correlates of consciousness
Advances in Consciousness Research June 17, 2015 Tom A. De Graaf, Alexander T. Sack
Neural correlates of consciousness (NCCs) include three distinct components: neural substrates that directly represent conscious experience, neural prerequisites that must occur before an experience, and neural consequences that follow it. In standard correlative studies, these three types are indistinguishable. A multi-pronged research approach could help separate them. The authors integrate their ideas with other recent work on NCC components and propose strategies to address the empirical-epistemological challenges posed by the problem of three NCCs. They conclude that while the problem is important and difficult, it is not destructive, and the NCC research program still has much to contribute.