The Nested States Model: An Empirical Framework for Integrating Brain and Mind.
Journal of consciousness studies : controversies in science & the humanities April 1, 2024 George H Denfield, Evan J. Kyzar
A framework called the Nested States Model is proposed to bridge the gap between subjective experience and brain activity. Building on philosophy of mind and phenomenology, the model characterizes both experiential states and brain states as layered, nested systems. Recognizing this structural homology—that both domains share a nested organization—allows for a more systematic approach to formulating hypotheses about how subjective mental states relate to neurophysiological processes. The model aims to guide empirical investigation into the relationship between subjectivity and neurobiology, addressing the lack of principled means currently available.