The Neural Correlates of Access Consciousness and Phenomenal Consciousness Seem to Coincide and Would Correspond to a Memory Center, an Activation Center and Eight Parallel Convergence Centers.

A growing number of authors argue that the neural correlates of consciousness have no selective or executive function; instead, attention unconsciously selects contents for consciousness, which then formats them for high-level processors like working memory and language. Dehaene locates the correlates of access consciousness in a widespread fronto-parieto-temporal network, while Tononi places phenomenal consciousness in a posterior temporo-parietal hot zone. Close examination of their work suggests these correlates coincide, making the two consciousnesses two aspects of a single consciousness with both cognitive and subjective contents.

Study at a glance

Abstract

An increasing number of authors suggest that the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) have no selective, executive, or metacognitive function. It is believed that attention unconsciously selects the contents that will become conscious. Consciousness would have only the fundamental function of transforming the selected contents into a format easily used by high-level processors, such as working memory, language, or autobiographical memory. According to Dehaene, the neural correlates (NC) of access consciousness (AC; cognitive consciousness) constitute a widespread network in the frontal, parietal, and temporal cortices. While Tononi localized the correlates of phenomenal consciousness (PC; subjective consciousness) to a posterior "hot zone" in the temporo-parietal cortex. A careful examination of the works of these two groups leads to the conclusion that the correlates of access and PC coincide. The two consciousnesses are therefore two faces of the same single consciousness with both its cognitive and subjective contents. A review of the literature of the pathology called "neglect" confirms that the common correlates include 10: a memory center, an activation center, and eight parallel centers. From study of the "imagery" it can be deduced that these eight parallel centers would operate as points of convergence in the third person linking the respective eight sensory-motor-emotional areas activated by external perceptions and the corresponding memories of these perceptions deposited in the memory center. The first four centers of convergence appear in the most evolved fish and gradually reach eight in humans.