Brain-Sign or the End of Consciousness

Consciousness is commonly assumed to be a real phenomenon, but this paper argues that it is a pre-scientific theory rather than an actual entity. The authors propose that what is called consciousness should be understood as a biological signal termed "brain-sign," which serves a specific function in organismic biology. Replacing the concept of consciousness with brain-sign fundamentally changes how we view humans and other creatures. The paper outlines a research program for developing this alternative biological ontology, though it does not provide detailed evidence or experimental results.

Study at a glance

Abstract

There is no question that something goes on in the head, which has been called consciousness. But is it consciousness? Over the last fifty years, there has been a concerted attempt to show how consciousness can be physical, of the brain. The diversity of views is characteristic of a Kuhnian pre- normal science revolution: but the revolution has not arrived. This is because the assumption that consciousness exists is wrong. In this paper consciousness (with e.g. its subjective/objective distinction) is characterized as a pre-scientific theory. The biological ontology of the phenomenon is revealed, and its placement in organismic biology explained. The phenomenon will be termed brain-sign, as appropriate to its biological function. The nature of this function completely reconstructs our view of ourselves, and other creatures in which it is manifest. The detail and ramifications cannot be addressed at length in a paper, but a research program is outlined briefly.