Neurodynamics of mind: the arrow illusion of conscious intentionality as downward causation.
Joaquín Barutta, Ezequiel Gleichgerrcht, Carlos Cornejo, Agustin Ibanez
Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science June 2010 DOI: 10.1007/s12124-010-9117-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the emergence and downward causation model of consciousness is inconsistent and proposes a contextual and pragmatic alternative for understanding how consciousness influences neural processes. |
Abstract
In cognitive neuroscience, the reissue of the notion of emergence and downward causation has been used as an interlevel model of mind-brain interactions from different perspectives. Within this perspective, intentionality has been interpreted as global to local determination (downward causation) on the neurophysiological level. Consciousness would act as the large-scale, global activity of the system that governs or constrains local interactions of neurons. This argument seems to solve several difficulties with regard to descriptions of consciousness on a neurophysiological and mental level. Nevertheless, the inconsistencies of this argument are shown, and a contextual and pragmatic explanation of the downward causation of consciousness is given.
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