"The Hard Problem of Consciousness". Theoretical solution of its main questions.
David I Dubrovsky
AIMS Neuroscience 2019 DOI: 10.3934/neuroscience.2019.2.85 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Brain Cod Consciousness Free will Information Subjective reality |
| Key points | Argues that the connection between subjective reality and brain processes is an information-to-carrier relationship, and that mental causation is a form of information causality distinct from ordinary physical causation. |
Abstract
The problem of explaining the connection between the phenomena of subjective reality and brain processes is usually called the "Hard problem of consciousness". The solution of its main theoretical issues is of great importance for the development of modern neuroscience, especially for such direction as neurocryptology ("Brain-Reading"). From the standpoint of the information approach it is proposed to address these issues, namely: 1) the nature of the connection with brain processes of the phenomena of subjective reality (mental state), 2) their causal ability to control bodily functions; 3) the compatibility of freedom of will with the determinism of brain processes and also 4) the frequently asked question: why is information about the acting agent not just represented, but experienced in the form of subjective reality. The connection between the phenomenon of subjective reality and the corresponding brain process is the relationship between information and its carrier; specific features of this relationship are analyzed. Mental causation is a kind of information causality that differs from ordinary physical causation because information is invariant with respect to the physical properties of its carrier, can be coded in different ways. The author identifies and describes those analytical parameters that must be taken into account in the problems of constructing a model of the code neurodynamic structure of the phenomena of subjective reality. A hypothesis is advanced on the emergence of the very quality of subjective reality in the course of biological evolution. On this basis, the methodological aspects of the problem of deciphering brain neurodynamic code of the phenomena of subjective reality and the prospects of neuroscience studies of consciousness are discussed.
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Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- Evolutionary Origin and the Development of Consciousness. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews December 1, 2021
- A neuroscientific hypothesis on the physical nature of consciousness Frontiers in Human Neuroscience March 12, 2026
- The causal efficacy of consciousness: a neuroscientific analysis and explanation Frontiers in Human Neuroscience June 18, 2026
- Mind and Brain: Experience in Developing Fundamental Theoretical Issues of the Hard Problem of Consciousness and Its Significance for Neuroscience Russian Journal of Philosophical Sciences August 15, 2024
- Reflexive structure of the conscious subject and the origin of language codes. Bio Systems September 2023
and 4 more in the library