Demystifying Consciousness
Jose Luis Perez Velazquez, Vera Nenadovic
Being and becoming January 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-78264-1_7 (opens in new tab) via Springer Nature
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractConsciousness appears mysterious largely because of how it is defined. The chapter explains that the source of this mystery lies in the concept of emergence—the idea that complex systems can exhibit properties not present in their individual parts. By examining emergence, the authors aim to clarify the nature of consciousness and the difficulties inherent in defining it.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Emergence Consciousness Pattern formation Self-awareness Rayleigh-bénard instability |
| Key finding | Argues that the mystery of consciousness can be addressed through the concept of emergence. |
Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of the notions of consciousness and the problems that arise with the attempts at defining it. We will explain the essence and source of the apparent mystery of consciousness. To address these issues we will talk about the concept of emergence.