6. Physical Theories of Consciousness
Human and Machine Consciousness March 7, 2018 DOI: 10.11647/obp.0107.06 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPhysical theories of consciousness tie conscious experience to specific patterns in particular materials, such as neuron firing patterns in the brain. Unlike functional or computational theories, these approaches hold that the material substrate matters: the same pattern occurring in a different substance would not be considered conscious. Such theories resemble standard scientific explanations in physics, chemistry, and biology by grounding consciousness in the physical properties of the system.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Argues that physical theories of consciousness tie consciousness to patterns in specific materials, unlike functionalist theories, and that these theories are analogous to ordinary scientific theories. |
Abstract
Chapter 6 discusses physical theories of consciousness, which link consciousness to patterns in materials (for example, neuron firing patterns). With physical theories the materials in which the patterns occur are critical - if the same patterns occur in different materials, they are not claimed to be linked to consciousness. Physical theories of consciousness are similar to scientific theories in physics, chemistry and biology.