Are There Levels of Consciousness?
Tim Bayne, Jakob Hohwy, Adrian M. Owen
Trends in Cognitive Sciences April 22, 2016 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2016.03.009 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe concept of a level of consciousness is central to the science of consciousness, used to describe global states in post-comatose disorders, epileptic absence seizures, anesthesia, and sleep. However, what a level of consciousness actually means remains unclear. This paper argues that the levels-based framework for understanding global states of consciousness is untenable and instead proposes a multidimensional account of global states.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Consciousness Cognitive science Cognitive psychology Psychoanalysis Neuroscience |
| Citations | 443 |
| Key finding | Argues that the levels-based framework for conceptualizing global states of consciousness is untenable and proposes a multidimensional account as an alternative. |
Abstract
The notion of a level of consciousness is a key construct in the science of consciousness. Not only is the term employed to describe the global states of consciousness that are associated with post-comatose disorders, epileptic absence seizures, anaesthesia, and sleep, it plays an increasingly influential role in theoretical and methodological contexts. However, it is far from clear what precisely a level of consciousness is supposed to be. This paper argues that the levels-based framework for conceptualizing global states of consciousness is untenable and develops in its place a multidimensional account of global states.