Physical requirements for models of consciousness
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2019
Abstract
Consciousness presents a series of characteristics that have been observed throughout the years: unity, continuity, richness and robustness are some of them. It manifests itself in regions of the brain capable of processing a huge quantity of integrated information at a level of neural activity close to criticality. We argue that the physical correlates of consciousness cannot be exclusively based on classical physics. The unity of consciousness cannot be explained classically as classical properties are always Humean like a mosaic. One needs an entangled quantum system that can at least satisfy part of the functions of a quantum computer to generate an inner experience with the unity of consciousness. At the same time this system should be able to interact with a classical system that gives simultaneous access to preprocessed information at the neural level and to produce events that generate neural firings.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Mind and Matter
First Page
129
Last Page
154
Recommended Citation
Gambini, R., & Pullin, J. (2019). Physical requirements for models of consciousness. Mind and Matter, 17 (2), 129-154. Retrieved from https://repository.lsu.edu/physics_astronomy_pubs/4311