Reflective Analysis on Empirical Theories in Consciousness
PsyArXiv October 8, 2025 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/pzrx8_v2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Global Workspace Theory, Higher-Order Theories, Integrated Information Theory, and Predictive Coding Theory should be understood as addressing complementary dimensions of consciousness rather than competing accounts. Proposes a phenomenologically informed, pluralistic framework that clarifies each theory's explanatory scope in relation to lived experience, aiming not at a single unified theory but at integration grounded in phenomenological reflection. |
Abstract
Contemporary theories of consciousness offer a range of explanatory perspectives. Global Workspace Theory emphasizes cognitive access, Higher-Order Theories focus on metacognitive representation, Integrated Information Theory centers on intrinsic experience, and Predictive Coding Theory models cognitive processes as probabilistic inference. While each theory provides valuable insights, they often remain in conflict due to differing assumptions about the nature of consciousness. This paper proposes a phenomenologically informed framework that clarifies the explanatory scope of each theory in relation to key features of lived experience. Rather than seeking to reduce consciousness to a single principle, I argue for a pluralistic approach that respects the distinctive contributions of each model. Through comparative analysis guided by phenomenological reflection and supported by recent interdisciplinary proposals, I show how these theories can be seen as addressing complementary dimensions of consciousness. The aim is not to construct a single unified theory, but to demonstrate how integration, grounded in reflective phenomenological analysis, can serve as a starting point toward a more adequate science of consciousness.