Paper - Review

DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00587-4

Abstract

Recent years
→ have seen a blossoming of theories
← about the biological & physical basis ← of consciouness

Good theories
→ guid empirical research → to interpret data
→ develop new experimental techniques
→ expand our capacity → to manipulate the phenomenon of interest

Empirical discoveries
→ can ultimately deliver → a satisfying understanding of a phenomenon

❓: how current theories → related to each other
❓: whether they can be empirically distinguished

Review → 4 prominent theoretical approaches → to consciousness
→ to clarify → the complicated landscape
→ 1⃣ higher-order theories 2⃣ global workspace theories 3⃣ re-entry & predictive processing theories 4⃣ integrated information theory

Describe → the key characteristic of each approach
← by identifying which aspects of consciousness ← they propose to explain
→ 1⃣ what their neurobiological commitements are 2⃣ what empirical data are adduced ← in their support

❗: how some prominent empirical debates
→ might distinguish ← among these theories
❗: outline three ways ← in which theories need
→ to be developed → to deliver a mature regiment of theory-testing ← in the neuroscience of consciousness

The iterative 1⃣ development 2⃣ testing 3⃣ comparison ← of theories of consciousness
→ lead → to deeper understanding of this most profound of mysteries

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