Philosophy and the Mind Sciences
July 6, 2026
Richard Brown
Higher-order theories of consciousness have gained attention as of late. This is because we are in a position where we can begin to see how we would empirically falsify these kinds of theories. I view these kinds of theories as interesting empirical conjectures about the nature of phenomenal consciousness. If they are false, it will be for empirical reasons. There has been a long debate about...
Psychology Travelogs
May 28, 2026
Richard Brown, Patricia L. Gerbarg
This article introduces an innovative program to bridge the gap between the high demand for psychological services and the limited number of healthcare professionals during war. Combat-related stress and trauma are difficult to treat with conventional methods alone. Mind-body programs, specifically Breath-Body-Mind (BBM), activate multiple healing pathways to mitigate autonomic dysregulation...
Consciousness as Representing One's Mind
July 1, 2025
Richard Brown
Abstract Understanding consciousness has presented a long-standing challenge to the science of the mind. There are many interesting phenomena, unanswered questions, and challenging methodological puzzles in the scientific study of consciousness. As a result, there are many avenues for research in consciousness science. At the core of them all is phenomenal consciousness. The author will argue...
Consciousness as Representing One's Mind
July 1, 2025
Richard Brown
Abstract We have now set out the HOROR theory as the author sees it and given some indication of the empirical status of the theory. Overall, the author thinks it is safe to say that it is so far consistent with what we know, hasn’t been falsified, but also hasn’t passed any major empirical hurdles directed directly against it. Though, as we also saw, there are some in the works as the author...
Consciousness as Representing One's Mind
July 1, 2025
Richard Brown
Abstract While not exactly higher-order theories in the sense invoked here (i.e., in the sense of attempting to explain phenomenal consciousness), it is helpful to start with views that invoke acquaintance before turning to specific versions of relational higher-order theories. In section 7.1, the author begins by discussing a related view that appeals to acquaintance and non-physical qualia....
Consciousness as Representing One's Mind
July 1, 2025
Richard Brown
Abstract In the next three chapters the author will develop the Higher-Order Representation of a Representation, or HOROR, theory of phenomenal consciousness. In this chapter, the author discuss issues about higher-order representationalism and HOROR at a very general level. In Chapter 3, the author focuses on the content that the author takes the HORORs to have in more detail. In Chapter 4,...
Cognitive Neuropsychology
2020
Richard Brown, Joseph E LeDoux
26 citations
In the interesting and thought-provoking article Grazziano and colleagues argue for their Attention Schema Theory (AST) of consciousness. They present AST as a unification of Global Workspace Theory (GWT), Illusionism, and the Higher-Order Thought (HOT) theory. We argue it is a mistake to equate 'subjective experience,' ad related terms, with dualism. They simply denote experience. Also, as...
Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy
October 29, 2019
Richard Brown
Higher-order theories are theories of phenomenal consciousness. Phenomenal consciousness is the property of there being something that it is like for one to have an experience. Something that it is like from the point of view of the organism. According to the higher-order approach, an organism is phenomenally conscious just in case it has an appropriate kind of inner awareness of itself as...
Trends in Cognitive Sciences
September 1, 2019
Richard Brown, Hakwan Lau, Joseph E LeDoux
The higher-order theory (HOT) of consciousness has often been misunderstood by critics. Here, we clarify its position on several issues, and distinguish it from other views, such as the global workspace theory (GWT) and early sensory models (e.g., first-order local recurrency theories). For example, HOT has been criticized for overintellectualizing consciousness. We show that, while...
Nature Human Behaviour
February 1, 2019
M. Michel, Diane M Beck, Ned Block et al.
Scientific research on consciousness is critical to multiple scientific, clinical, and ethical issues. The growth of the field could also be beneficial to several areas including neurology and mental health research. To achieve this goal, we need to set funding priorities carefully and address problems such as job creation and potential media misrepresentation.
Cerebrum
2018
Joseph E LeDoux, Richard Brown, D. Pine et al.
Editor’s Note The study of subjective experience represents a significant challenge to cognitive scientists, but one that is beginning to be increasingly addressed. Subjectivity renders experience less amenable to traditional objective scientific measurements than other subject matter. Our authors believe that when seeking to understand the mind, subjectivity must ultimately be investigated and...