What might interoceptive inference reveal about consciousness?
N. Nikolova, Peter Thestrup Waade, K. Friston, Micah Allen
Review of Philosophy and Psychology August 14, 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s13164-021-00580-3 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe mainstream science of consciousness includes several prominent theories about how the brain produces awareness, such as Higher Order Thought Theory, Global Neuronal Workspace Theory, and Integrated Information Theory. Meanwhile, predictive processing approaches are providing concrete mechanisms for how interoceptive inference shapes selfhood, affect, and perception. This work examines what these newer approaches can contribute to empirical, phenomenological, and philosophical understanding of consciousness and its neurobiological foundations.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Psychology Philosophy |
| Key finding | Predictive processing approaches offer concrete mechanisms for how interoceptive inference shapes selfhood, affect, and perception, potentially advancing understanding of consciousness. |
Abstract
The mainstream science of consciousness offers a few predominate views of how the brain gives rise to awareness. Chief among these are the Higher Order Thought Theory, Global Neuronal Workspace Theory, Integrated Information Theory, and hybrids thereof. In parallel, rapid development in predictive processing approaches have begun to outline concrete mechanisms by which interoceptive inference shapes selfhood, affect, and exteroceptive perception. Here, we consider these new approaches in terms of what they might offer our empirical, phenomenological, and philosophical understanding of consciousness and its neurobiological roots.