Theories of Consciousness
Explore the major scientific and philosophical theories that attempt to explain the nature of consciousness, organized by their level of analysis — from cellular and biophysical mechanisms up to whole-organism accounts.
Cellular & biophysical
Orchestrated Objective Reduction
Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch-OR) proposes that consciousness arises from quantum computations in brain microtubules, with moments of conscious experience corresponding to quantum state reduc...
7 answers
Dendritic Integration Theory
Consciousness rooted in dendritic processing
Key proponents: Matthew Bhatt
7 answers
Neural dynamics
Integrated Information Theory
Integrated Information Theory (IIT) proposes that consciousness is identical to integrated information, quantified as Φ (phi). Developed primarily by Giulio Tononi and collaborators including Christof...
7 answers
Recurrent Processing Theory
Recurrent Processing Theory (RPT) proposes that consciousness emerges from recurrent (or reentrant) neural processingbidirectional communication between brain areas where feedback from higher to lowe...
7 answers
Neurophenomenal Structuralism
Bridging neural activity and phenomenal structure
Key proponents: Georg Northoff
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Cognitive architecture
Global Workspace Theory
Global Workspace Theory (GWT) proposes that consciousness arises when information is broadcast widely throughout the brain via a "global workspace." Originally developed by Bernard Baars in the 1980s ...
7 answers
Higher-Order Thought Theory
Higher-Order Thought (HOT) theory proposes that a mental state becomes conscious when it is represented by a suitable higher-order mental state—typically a thought about that first-order state. Develo...
7 answers
Predictive Processing
Predictive Processing (PP), also known as the predictive brain or predictive coding framework, proposes that the brain is fundamentally a prediction machine that constantly generates models of the wor...
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Perceptual Control Theory
Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) proposes that behavior is organized around the control of perception rather than the production of outputs or responses to stimuli. Developed originally by William T. P...
7 answers
Attention Schema Theory
Consciousness as an internal model of attention
Key proponents: Michael Graziano
7 answers