How the Discovery of Brain Correlates of Consciousness Supports Non-Reductive Physicalism
Nature Precedings March 7, 2012 DOI: 10.1038/npre.2012.6969.1 (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 discovery of statistically relevant brain correlates of consciousness supports Non-Reductive Physicalism, and that, using Salmon's concept of Statistical Explanation, statistics can distinguish causal (physical) from casual (illusory) correlations. |
Abstract
Abstract: In this work I attempt to justify the claim that the discovery of statistically relevant brain correlates of consciousness supports Non-Reductive Physicalism. First I distinguish the main varieties of Reductive and Non-Reductive Physicalism, selecting the right one that is benefited by progress in brain sciences. Second, I discuss epistemological problems in the search of brain correlates of consciousness, focusing on the simultaneous occurrence of conscious activity, known by means of subjective report, and the corresponding brain activity, registered with the help of technology. Finally, I argue – using Salmon´s concept of Statistical Explanation - that statistics affords a distinction of causal (physical) from casual (illusory) correlations.