Towards a pluralistic neurobiological understanding of consciousness.

The assumption that a single neurobiological account will explain all types of conscious awareness is challenged by evidence that neural activity related to conscious visual perception varies in location, timing, and information flow depending on external and internal factors. This suggests the search for generic neural correlates of consciousness may not be fruitful. A more pluralistic approach is needed, and a new framework called joint determinant theory (JDT) is proposed. JDT may accommodate different brain circuit mechanisms for varied conscious contents such as percepts, wills, memories, emotions, and thoughts, as well as their integrated experience.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Theories of consciousness are often based on the assumption that a single, unified neurobiological account will explain different types of conscious awareness. However, recent findings show that, even within a single modality such as conscious visual perception, the anatomical location, timing, and information flow of neural activity related to conscious awareness vary depending on both external and internal factors. This suggests that the search for generic neural correlates of consciousness may not be fruitful. I argue that consciousness science requires a more pluralistic approach and propose a new framework: joint determinant theory (JDT). This theory may be capable of accommodating different brain circuit mechanisms for conscious contents as varied as percepts, wills, memories, emotions, and thoughts, as well as their integrated experience.