On the Search for the Neural Correlate of Consciousness

Abstract

This chapter addresses the question: how can we isolate the neural correlate of consciousness (NCC) in the absence of a “consciousness meter,” which measures consciousness directly? The obvious answer is that we rely on verbal reports and other behavioral indicators of consciousness. Importantly, the use of these indicators tacitly relies on pre-experimental principles that connect these behavioral indicators to consciousness. The use of these principles is unavoidable, and this has a number of interesting consequences for the science. After drawing out some of the key principles, the chapter presents some conclusions that bear directly on the practical methodology of the scientific work in this area.