Do neural correlates of consciousness cause conscious states?
Medical Hypotheses January 1, 2004 J. Fell, C. Elger, M. Kurthen
The concept of neural correlates of consciousness (NCCs) refers to neural systems and states minimally sufficient for particular conscious states. This paper examines whether identifying an NCC allows one to claim that neural states cause conscious states. According to the NCC definition, neural and conscious states should occur simultaneously, while causal relations generally require temporal succession. Causality can be understood as efficient causation, involving energy exchange between events, or explanatory causation, referring to law-like conjunctions. From a dualistic perspective, efficient causation between neural and conscious states would violate physical laws because no energy transfer between domains is recognized.