Consciousness may be explained by multiple, partly compatible theories rather than a single winner. A group of scientists representing different theories argue that various accounts often address different aspects or mechanistic levels of conscious experience, so they do not necessarily contradict each other. Instead, several theories may converge on fundamental neuronal mechanisms and be complementary, allowing multiple perspectives to simultaneously advance understanding. The authors advocate for unifying, integration-oriented approaches that combine valuable elements from diverse theories, an approach that has so far been largely neglected.
Conscious perception of simple touch depends on sustained neural activity in higher-order somatosensory regions, specifically the posterior perisylvian areas. Using human intracortical recordings, tonic responses in these regions showed all-or-nothing patterns at the sensory threshold, remained unchanged whether or not participants reported the stimulus, and most clearly distinguished perceived from non-perceived stimuli. These dynamics may serve as an organizational principle of somatosensory awareness.