Unifying consciousness theories with MaxCon: maximizing configurations of the brain web
Jose Luis Perez Velazquez, Diego M. Mateos, Richard Wennberg, Ramon Guevara Erra
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that consciousness research is becoming more discordant rather than converging, and proposes MaxCon, an integrative biophysical theory combining elements of several major neuroscientific consciousness theories. MaxCon associates consciousness with maximization of the number of configurations of neural network connections, constrained by neuroanatomy, biophysics, and the environment, and presents a computable index of consciousness level. |
Abstract
There is such a vast proliferation of scientific theories of consciousness that it is worrying some scholars. There are even competitions to test different theories, and the results are inconclusive. Consciousness research, far from converging toward a unifying framework, is becoming more discordant than ever, especially with respect to theoretical elements that do not have a clear neurobiological basis. Rather than duelling theories, an integration across theories is needed tofacilitate a comprehensive view on consciousness and on how normal nervous system dynamics can develop into pathological states. In dealing with what is considered an extremely complex matter, we try to adopt a perspective from which the subject appears in relative simplicity. Grounded in experimental and theoretical observations, we advance an encompassing biophysical theory, MaxCon, which incorporates aspects of several of the main existing neuroscientific consciousness theories, finding convergence points in an attempt to simplify and to understand how cellular collective activity is organized to fulfill the dynamic requirements of the diverse theories our proposal comprises. Moreover, a computable index indicating consciousness level is presented. Derived from the level of description of the interactions among cell networks, our proposal highlights the association of consciousness with maximisation of the number of configurations of neural network connections -constrained by neuroanatomy, biophysics and the environment― that is common to all consciousness theories.