In Consciousness we Trust

A mechanistic account of subjective experience is proposed, drawing on cognitive neuroscience of conscious perception, attention, and metacognition. The book argues that empirical studies are often misinterpreted, with undue focus on perceptual capacity rather than subjective experience itself, and null findings overemphasized despite limited methodological sensitivity. A synthesis combines global and local theories of consciousness, discussed in relation to sense of agency, emotion, rationality, culture, philosophy, and clinical applications. Insights from physiology and artificial intelligence address the qualitative nature of subjective experience.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract This book puts forward a mechanistic account of subjective experience based on a review of the current cognitive neuroscience literature on conscious perception, attention, and metacognition. It is argued that current empirical studies are often misinterpreted. An undue focus has been placed on perceptual capacity rather than subjective experience per se. Null findings are often overemphasized despite the limited sensitivity of the methods used. A synthesis is proposed to combine the advantages and intuitions of both global and local theories of consciousness. This will be discussed in the context of our understanding of the sense of agency, emotion, rationality, culture, philosophical theories, and clinical applications. Taking insights from both physiology and current research in artificial intelligence, the resulting view directly addresses the qualitative nature of subjective experience.