There are currently two grand theories about the nature and functioning of consciousness. These theories are sometimes called the "outside-in" theory and the "inside-out" theory.
The outside-in theory is the oldest of the two, and the one you are most likely to be familiar with. Essentially, it states that information from outside the brain is transmitted into the brain where it is used to create an awareness (i.e. a consciousness) of what is outside the brain.
The inside-out theory is the newest of the two theories. According to it, the process that results in conscious awareness of the chipmunk does NOT begin outside the brain, but instead begins inside the brain. The brain kicks things off by creating an hallucination. (Try thinking of this hallucination as a guess about what is outside the brain.) Next, information from outside the brain is transmitted into the brain where it is used to modify the hallucination so that the hallucination becomes more in line with what is outside the brain.
Now it might seem like the older theory is the correct one. But the evidence from the neurosciences tends to strongly favor the newer theory. If the newer theory proves to be the more accurate model, then quite a few apple carts are going to be upset.
For instance, consider the implications that the newer theory might have for the nature of the self. Or -- if you believe in the soul -- the implications that the newer theory might have for the nature of it.
For further information on the newer theory, you might want to start with this TED Talk video:
Your brain hallucinates your conscious reality
Comments?
______________________________
The outside-in theory is the oldest of the two, and the one you are most likely to be familiar with. Essentially, it states that information from outside the brain is transmitted into the brain where it is used to create an awareness (i.e. a consciousness) of what is outside the brain.
For example: Suppose there is a chipmunk on my lawn. My eyes see the chipmunk and send that information to my brain which then processes it into a conscious awareness of the chipmunk.
The inside-out theory is the newest of the two theories. According to it, the process that results in conscious awareness of the chipmunk does NOT begin outside the brain, but instead begins inside the brain. The brain kicks things off by creating an hallucination. (Try thinking of this hallucination as a guess about what is outside the brain.) Next, information from outside the brain is transmitted into the brain where it is used to modify the hallucination so that the hallucination becomes more in line with what is outside the brain.
For example: Again, suppose the chipmunk. Only this time, the process begins in my brain, rather than with the chipmunk. My brain creates an hallucination. Then my eyes see the chipmunk and send that information to my brain which then uses it to correct my hallucination -- thus creating my conscious awareness of the chipmunk.
Now it might seem like the older theory is the correct one. But the evidence from the neurosciences tends to strongly favor the newer theory. If the newer theory proves to be the more accurate model, then quite a few apple carts are going to be upset.
For instance, consider the implications that the newer theory might have for the nature of the self. Or -- if you believe in the soul -- the implications that the newer theory might have for the nature of it.
For further information on the newer theory, you might want to start with this TED Talk video:
Your brain hallucinates your conscious reality
Comments?
______________________________
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