Extending Gurwitsch's field theory of consciousness.
Consciousness and Cognition July 2015 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2015.03.017 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Embodied cognition Global neuronal workspace Gurwitsch Inattention Meta-stable dynamics Predictive coding Small world networks |
| Key points | The authors argue that Gurwitsch's theory of the field of consciousness, organized around a variable "theme" of attention and a structured periphery of inattentional contents, can be linked with and help unify contemporary accounts of the neural correlates of consciousness, inattention, the brain's small world structure, meta-stable dynamics, embodied cognition, and predictive coding. |
Abstract
Aron Gurwitsch's theory of the structure and dynamics of consciousness has much to offer contemporary theorizing about consciousness and its basis in the embodied brain. On Gurwitsch's account, as we develop it, the field of consciousness has a variable sized focus or "theme" of attention surrounded by a structured periphery of inattentional contents. As the field evolves, its contents change their status, sometimes smoothly, sometimes abruptly. Inner thoughts, a sense of one's body, and the physical environment are dominant field contents. These ideas can be linked with (and help unify) contemporary theories about the neural correlates of consciousness, inattention, the small world structure of the brain, meta-stable dynamics, embodied cognition, and predictive coding in the brain.
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Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Multiscale contextual emergence of neural dynamics, cognition and action. Journal of Multiscale Neuroscience March 30, 2023
- Psychology, Consciousness and ASCs 2024
- Atmospheres and the Intentionality of Moods European Journal of Philosophy May 29, 2026
- Integrated information theory (IIT) and the testability of the silent neuron predictions Neuroscience of Consciousness January 17, 2026
- The complexity of the stream of consciousness. Communications Biology November 3, 2022
and 3 more in the library
Cites 7
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- Rich conscious perception outside focal attention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences September 1, 2014
- Consciousness and Cognitive Access Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society October 1, 2008
- Phenomenology and Connectionism Frontiers in Psychology 2011
- Quantized visual awareness. Frontiers in Psychology November 22, 2013
and 2 more in the library