The Interstitial Pathways as the Substrate of Consciousness: A New Synthesis
This paper considers three classes of analyses of the nature of consciousness: abstract theories of the functional organization of consciousness, and concrete proposals as to the neural substrate of consciousness, while providing a rationale for contesting non-neural and transcendental conceptualiza...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Entropy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/23/11/1443 |
| _version_ | 1797510449770528768 |
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| author | Christopher W. Tyler |
| author_facet | Christopher W. Tyler |
| author_sort | Christopher W. Tyler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper considers three classes of analyses of the nature of consciousness: abstract theories of the functional organization of consciousness, and concrete proposals as to the neural substrate of consciousness, while providing a rationale for contesting non-neural and transcendental conceptualizations of consciousness. It indicates that abstract theories of the dynamic core of consciousness have no force unless they are grounded in the physiology of the brain, since the organization of dynamic systems, such as the Sun, could equally well qualify as conscious under such theories. In reviewing the wealth of studies of human consciousness since the mid-20th century, it concludes that many proposals for the particular neural substrate of consciousness are insufficient in various respects, but that the results can be integrated into a novel scheme that consciousness extends through a subcortical network of interlaminar structures from the brainstem to the claustrum. This interstitial structure has both the specificity and the extended connectivity to account for the array of reportable conscious experiences. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:31:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-97843ff39b5f464fb091a64be1d51206 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1099-4300 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:31:39Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Entropy |
| spelling | doaj.art-97843ff39b5f464fb091a64be1d512062023-11-22T23:15:03ZengMDPI AGEntropy1099-43002021-10-012311144310.3390/e23111443The Interstitial Pathways as the Substrate of Consciousness: A New SynthesisChristopher W. Tyler0Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94115, USAThis paper considers three classes of analyses of the nature of consciousness: abstract theories of the functional organization of consciousness, and concrete proposals as to the neural substrate of consciousness, while providing a rationale for contesting non-neural and transcendental conceptualizations of consciousness. It indicates that abstract theories of the dynamic core of consciousness have no force unless they are grounded in the physiology of the brain, since the organization of dynamic systems, such as the Sun, could equally well qualify as conscious under such theories. In reviewing the wealth of studies of human consciousness since the mid-20th century, it concludes that many proposals for the particular neural substrate of consciousness are insufficient in various respects, but that the results can be integrated into a novel scheme that consciousness extends through a subcortical network of interlaminar structures from the brainstem to the claustrum. This interstitial structure has both the specificity and the extended connectivity to account for the array of reportable conscious experiences.https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/23/11/1443consciousnesssubstratebrainstemthalamusintralaminar nucleiclaustrum |
| spellingShingle | Christopher W. Tyler The Interstitial Pathways as the Substrate of Consciousness: A New Synthesis Entropy consciousness substrate brainstem thalamus intralaminar nuclei claustrum |
| title | The Interstitial Pathways as the Substrate of Consciousness: A New Synthesis |
| title_full | The Interstitial Pathways as the Substrate of Consciousness: A New Synthesis |
| title_fullStr | The Interstitial Pathways as the Substrate of Consciousness: A New Synthesis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Interstitial Pathways as the Substrate of Consciousness: A New Synthesis |
| title_short | The Interstitial Pathways as the Substrate of Consciousness: A New Synthesis |
| title_sort | interstitial pathways as the substrate of consciousness a new synthesis |
| topic | consciousness substrate brainstem thalamus intralaminar nuclei claustrum |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/23/11/1443 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT christopherwtyler theinterstitialpathwaysasthesubstrateofconsciousnessanewsynthesis AT christopherwtyler interstitialpathwaysasthesubstrateofconsciousnessanewsynthesis |