Consciousness is already solved: The continued debate is not about science
Behavioral and Brain Sciences 2022 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x21001837 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that consciousness is explained by the brain constructing "theory-of-mind information" about conscious feeling, which causes people to believe, think, and claim to have consciousness. Contends that theories positing an actual, intangible feeling are non-explanatory because they add a "magical red herring" and leave the objective phenomena of believing, thinking, and claiming unexplained. |
Abstract
Abstract: A logical explanation of consciousness has been known for decades. The brain must construct a specific set of information about conscious feeling (theory-of-mind information), causing people to believe, think, and claim to have consciousness. Theories that propose an actual, intangible feeling are non-explanatory. They add a magical red herring while leaving unexplained the objective phenomena: the believing, thinking, and claiming.