The Global Neuronal Workspace as a multilevel model of conscious processing.
Jean-Pierre Changeux, Michele Farisco
Trends in Cognitive Sciences June 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2026.03.004 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Global neuronal workspace Conscious processing Functionalist models Global workspace Multilevel models |
| Key points | Argues that the Global Neuronal Workspace theory is not a functionalist computational theory but a multilevel account extending from cellular to network dynamics. |
Abstract
Debates in consciousness science increasingly question whether computational functionalism is sufficient to explain conscious processing. We summarize three core features of the Global Neuronal Workspace (GNW) theory that highlight the multilevel architecture of conscious processing, extending from cellular and molecular mechanisms to large-scale network dynamics. On this interpretation, GNW is not a functionalist computational theory, unlike the Global Workspace theory, with which it is frequently conflated.