Bulletpoint Consciousness - An Introduction (ch10 to 13)

How do the brain and consciousness interact with each other? CH.10

    With the research into 'the neural correlates of consciousness' (NCC) aspects of neural functioning can be studied and it can be checked whether these correspond to the conscious experiences that people express. At NCC it is the correlation between neural functioning and conscious experiences without making any pronouncements about the causal relationship between the two.

    There are two theories that have been used to find the NCC. The first theory is from Penrose and Hameroff about the quantum coherence in microtubules. The second theory came from Flohr. He argues that outside awareness caused by drugs is caused by the inhibition of processes that depend on NMDA receptors.

    Dualists state that pain is in the mind and therefore can not be localized. How pain is inflicted appears to make a difference in neural activity. There appears to be a correlation between the type of pain and neural activity - and also between the degree to which someone experiences pain and neural activity.

In what way can consciousness be seen as a unit? CH.11

    It seems like we only have one consciousness. If you look at the brain, then you see that there is complexity and diversity. A central question here is: where does the interaction between the mind and the brain take place?

    The binding problem consists of the question of how we perceive something like a falling coin as one thing. Some people think that the binding problem is the same as understanding how attention works. Malsburg stated that the simultaneous, coordinated firing of neurons in the visual cortex is the basis of visual binding. According to Zeki, there are multiple micro-awareness and the visual system consists of many separate and specialized systems that function in parallel.

    Integration of information that enters multiple senses (called multisensory integration) depends on neurons that respond to input from more than one sense. The main part of the brain is the superior colliculus in the midbrain.

    Supporters of the theory of re-entry by neuronal group selection 'state that consciousness depends on continuous, self-repeating, parallel processes between parts of the thalamus and cortex. A distinction is made between two types of consciousness: a primary consciousness and the higher order consciousness.

What is the influence of brain damage on consciousness? CH.12

    Korkasoff's is the most common form of memory loss (also called amnestic syndrome) and is caused by the toxic effects of alcohol and by a deficiency of thiamine caused by malnutrition. There are two types of memory loss: (1) anterograde amnesia (can no longer store long-term memories) and (2) retrograde amnesia (when someone has lost all his memories of the past). People with memory loss do have a consciousness. However, there is no interaction with them between current information and stored information.

    We speak of neglect when people ignore one half of their visual field. This can occur, for example, when someone becomes paralyzed. Sometimes people do not realize that they are paralyzed, in which case we speak of anosognosia.

    Blind vision is common in people who have damage to parts of the visual cortex on one side. It seems to a patient with blind vision that he is not aware of what he sees. A patient with blind vision therefore has vision without consciousness.

What is the connection between evolution and consciousness? CH.13

     Evolution literally means gradual change. According to Darwin, there were slow changes on the earth and variation among organisms. Species that survive would pass on what helped them to survive to the next generation ('survival of the fittest'). Dennett speaks about 'evolutionary algorithm': if there is a three-part algorithm of variation, heredity and selection, then evolution has to take place.

    Lamarck argued that there must first be an internal force that directs progress in one direction and that, in addition, the inheritance of acquired characteristics is required. His theory is called Lamarckism and is nowadays declared incorrect.

    Dawkins came in 1976 with the 'selfish gene theory'. The ultimate goal of natural selection is not the kind, not the group, not the individual, but the gene. Genes are egoistic ('selfish') in the sense that they want to be passed on.

The question that goes with the statement that consciousness has evolved is: does consciousness have a function? Four visions exist here: (1) epiphenomenalism: consciousness can be separated from adaptive characteristics, but it makes no distinctive difference and has no effects, (2) consciousness has an adaptive function, consciousness can be separated from adaptive characteristics and it adds something new, (3) the consciousness has no independent function, the consciousness can not be separated from adaptive characteristics, and (4) consciousness is an illusion.