Consciousness, Motivation, and Emotion
Advances in Consciousness Research November 14, 2000 DOI: 10.1075/aicr.16.06faw (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that understanding consciousness requires distinguishing among phenomenal experience, awareness of objects and situations, and wakefulness, and examines whether 'emotional consciousness' is a basic consciousness mechanism or merely one channel of conscious content. |
Abstract
This paper examines some nervous system mechanisms involved in consciousness, motivation, and emotion. We begin with preliminary thoughts on the relationships between various meanings of consciousness: having phenomenal experiences, being aware of objects and situations, and wakefulness. Then we look at a key issue in ‘emotional consciousness,’ specifically whether it is part of basic consciousness mechanisms or merely one ‘channel’ through which we have conscious content. At the end of the chapter are diagrams which present many of the brain-stem, sub-cortical and cortical areas referred to in the text. The diagrams of ‘your brain on numbers’ can be especially helpful in differentiating cortical areas.