7 papers in the library · 79 citations · publishing 2008-2026
Rethinking Emergence March 17, 2026 Michael Silberstein
Abstract The hard problem of consciousness has historically been a major driver of discussions pertaining to emergence. As the only forms of emergence on offer in these discussions were strong and weak emergence, very little progress was made. Herein a new type of emergence is offered to move forwards. Contextual emergence (CE) holds that the world is structured as follows: properties and...
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) May 14, 2020 Michael Silberstein, William Stuckey 21 citations
Herein we are not interested in merely using dynamical systems theory, graph theory, information theory, etc., to model the relationship between brain dynamics and networks, and various states and degrees of conscious processes. We are interested in the question of how phenomenal conscious experience and fundamental physics are most deeply related. Any attempt to mathematically and formally...
arXiv Preprint Archive January 28, 2019 Michael Silberstein, William Stuckey
Recent experiments (gedanken or otherwise) and theorems in quantum mechanics (QM), such as new iterations on Wigner's friend and delayed choice, have led many people to claim that QM is not compatible with determinate and intersubjectively consistent experience (what some call absoluteness of observed events), such as experiences of experimental outcomes. In the case of delayed choice the...
Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science December 2, 2017 Michael Silberstein 5 citations
It is argued that when it comes to the hard problem of consciousness neutral monism beats out the competition. It is further argued that neutral monism provides a unique route to a novel type of panentheism via Advaita Vedanta Hinduism.
Topics in Cognitive Science 2012 Michael Silberstein, Anthony Chemero
The complex systems approach to cognitive science invites a new understanding of extended cognitive systems. According to this understanding, extended cognitive systems are heterogenous, composed of brain, body, and niche, non-linearly coupled to one another. This view of cognitive systems, as non-linearly coupled brain-body-niche systems, promises conceptual and methodological advances. In...
Philosophical Psychology August 1, 2011 Michael Silberstein 15 citations
Beyond Reduction: Philosophy of Mind and Post-Reduction Philosophy of Science Steven Horst New York: Oxford University Press, 2007 223 pages, ISBN: 0195317114 (hbk); $60.00 It seems to me that ther...
Oxford University Press eBooks May 15, 2008 Michael Silberstein 38 citations
The first section characterises the kind of emergence defended in this chapter and situates it largely in the enactive paradigm of consciousness and cognition. The second section begins to cast doubt on physicalism and related doctrines in philosophy of mind that speak against ontological emergence. In the process, it becomes clear that ontological emergence cum enactivism is philosophically...