The consciousness circuit - an approach to the hard problem.
Sulamita Frohlich, Carlos A Franco
Advances in experimental medicine and biology 2010 DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-79100-5_16 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Key points | Proposes that consciousness can be modeled as an orthogonal graph integrating attention, luminosity, and quantum computation in microtubules, representing all states of human consciousness without subjective bias. |
Abstract
This paper is the continuation of a study about Consciousness as a resulting function between attention and luminosity, presented at the Neuroscience International Congress, which was held in the city of Natal, in Brazil, in 2006. There it was described how visual Consciousness is generated by the interaction of the cortical area activity through FFS (Feedforward Sweep Processes), RP (Recurrent Processes) and WSRP (Wide Spread Recurrent Processes), and its relationship with the luminosity that hits the eyes. We have applied the reciprocal interaction model, which says that the eye reacts to luminosity through the regulation of sleep-awake states through EEG wave synchronization; this, in turn, is regulated by the thalamic cortical neural activity from the brainstem monoaminergic and cholinergic nuclei.Such an understanding has led us to construct a consciousness model which can be represented by an orthogonal graph. Through this model, we can represent all states of human consciousness (emotional consciousness, unconsciousness states, dreaming states, awareness states, pre-consciousness states and others) making it possible, in theory, to construct a Consciousness parameter which yields to the understanding of consciousness state observation without a subjective approach to experience.We have also applied on this orthogonal graph the Quantum Orch OR Model. According to it, subjective, phenomenal conscious vision depends on quantum computation in microtubules where the quantum is the smallest quantity of radiant energy, in a scale in which matter and energy interact. This model helps us to build the vertical axe of the consciousness orthogonal graph, a cholinergic-aminergic scale, in which activation triggers the quantum mechanism relevant to the consciousness phenomenon.
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Citations in the library
Cited by 1
Cites 3
- Quantum computation in brain microtubules? The Penrose–Hameroff ‘Orch OR‘ model of consciousness Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences August 15, 1998
- Separate neural definitions of visual consciousness and visual attention; a case for phenomenal awareness. Neural Networks 2004
- A quantum approach to visual consciousness. Trends in Cognitive Sciences November 1, 2001