Contents

Vol. 14, No.8, August 2007

Refereed Papers

Emma Borg   abstract
If Mirror Neurons are the Answer, What was the Question?
Paul L. Nunez & Ramesh Srinivasan   abstract
Hearts Don’t Love and Brains Don’t Pump: Neocortical Dynamic Correlates of Conscious Experience
Vivian L. Waddell   abstract
A Phenomenological Description of the Inner Voice Experience of Ordinary People
John Stewart   abstract
The Future Evolution of Consciousness

Continuing Debate

Wolfgang Baer   abstract
The Physical Condition for Consciousness:  A comment on R. Shaw and J. Kinsella-Shaw

Conference Reports

Stuart Hameroff   full text
The Good, the Bad and the Octopus: Conference Report on ASSC 11, 2007
Walter Truett Anderson   full text
Bringing Experience out of the Closet: Reflections on First-Person Methodologies Conference, Ratna Ling Retreat Center

Book Reviews

full text
Michael Spivey, The Continuity of Mind, reviewed by Igor Aleksander
Imants Barušs, Science as a Spiritual Practice, reviewed by Allan Combs
Marc Bekoff, The Emotional Lives of Animals, reviewed by Jonathan Balcombe
Raymond Martin and John Barresi, The Rise and Fall of Soul and Self, reviewed by E.J. Lowe
Arthur J. Hudson, The Physiological Basis and Quantum Versions of Memory and Consciousness, reviewed by Chris Nunn


ABSTRACTS

Wolfgang Baer

The Physical Condition for Consciousness: A comment on R. Shaw and J. Kinsella-Shaw

Abstract: If the universe is a machine, consciousness is not possible. If the universe is more than a machine, then physics is incomplete. Since we are both part of the universe and conscious, physics must be incomplete and the understanding required to construct conscious mechanisms must be sought through the advancement of physics not the continued application of inadequate concepts. In this paper I will show that an impediment to this advancement is the confusion arising through the use of terms such as ‘physical reality’ to refer to an absolute a priori Kantian ‘Ding an Sich’ when they should both be recognized as referring to data structures holding the knowledge upon which we act and nothing more. Once this confusion has been clarified, I will go on to suggest that the cycle of activity updating physical reality becomes a candidate for a conscious process. I will show how implementing algorithms in modern computers can mimic this process but if actual consciousness is to be achieved the update activity must correspond to a cycle in time. Such cycles have been identified with Whitehead’s ‘actual occasions’ and thus I will argue that fundamental events should replace fundamental particles as the building blocks of the universe if consciousness is to be explained.

Correspondence: baer@nps.edu

Emma Borg

If Mirror Neurons are the Answer, What was the Question?

Abstract: Mirror neurons are neurons which fire in two distinct conditions: (i) when an agent performs a specific action, like a precision grasp of an object using fingers, and (ii) when an agent observes that action performed by another. Some theorists have suggested that the existence of such neurons may lend support to the simulation approach to mindreading (e.g. Gallese and Goldman, 1998, ‘Mirror neurons and the simulation theory of mind reading’). In this note I critically examine this suggestion, in both its original and a revised form (due to Iacoboni et al., 2005, ‘Grasping the intentions of others with one’s own mirror neuron system’), and argue that the existence of mirror neurons can in fact tell us very little about how intentional attribution actually proceeds.

Correspondence: Prof. E. Borg, Philosophy Dept., University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AA, UK. e.g.n.borg@reading.ac.uk

Paul L. Nunez & Ramesh Srinivasan

Hearts Don’t Love and Brains Don’t Pump: Neocortical Dynamic Correlates of Conscious Experience

Abstract: Human brains exhibit complex dynamic behaviour measured by external recordings of electric (EEG) and magnetic fields (MEG). These data reveal synaptic field oscillations in neocortex at millisecond temporal and centimetre spatial scales. We suggest that the neural networks underlying behaviour and cognition may be viewed as embedded in these synaptic action fields, analogous to social networks embedded in a culture. These synaptic fields may facilitate the binding of disparate networks to produce a behaviour and consciousness that appears unified to external observers. EEG, MEG, anatomy, physiology, and complex physical systems are considered here to suggest fundamental physical and biological properties of human brains that may be required for human consciousness to occur. We do not claim that these tissue properties are necessarily causal; however, they appear to be strongly correlated with human consciousness. Emphasis is placed on the hierarchical structure of brains, non-local connections between distant cortical regions, and resonant interactions between networks. While several of these ideas are supported by both experimental data and mathematical theory, the mathematics is replaced by metaphor for this paper. One conjecture is that the schizophrenias and other diseases occur when neural networks fail to conform to global synaptic fields. Perhaps consciousness is a resonance phenomenon and only properly tuned brains can orchestrate the beautiful music of sentience.

Correspondence: Paul L Nunez, Tulane University and Brain Physics LLC. pnunez@tulane.edu
Ramesh Srinivasan, UC Irvine and Brain Physics LLC. srinivar@uci.edu

John Stewart

The Future Evolution of Consciousness

Abstract: What is the potential for improvements in the functioning of consciousness? The paper addresses this issue using global workspace theory. According to this model, the prime function of consciousness is to develop novel adaptive responses. Consciousness does this by putting together new combinations of knowledge, skills and other disparate resources that are recruited from throughout the brain. The paper’s search for potential improvements in consciousness is aided by studies of a developmental transition that enhances functioning in whichever domain it occurs. This transition involves a shift from the use of procedural (implicit) knowledge to declarative (explicit) knowledge. However, the potential of the transition to enhance functioning has not yet been realised to any extent in relation to consciousness itself. The paper assesses the potential for consciousness to use declarative knowledge to improve its own functioning and to thereby enhance human adaptability. A number of sources (including the practices of religious and contemplative traditions) are drawn on to investigate how this potential might be realised.

Correspondence: jes999@tpg.com.au

Vivian L. Waddell

A Phenomenological Description of the Inner Voice Experience of Ordinary People

Abstract: This is a phenomenological description of the inner voice experience (IVE) that emerged from a phenomenological research of the IVEs of twenty ordinary people. Research on IVEs of ordinary people is thin. If inner voices are studied at all, they are studied from a psychological or religious perspective where phenomenology allows for a multi-disciplinary view of this human experience. This description of the actual lived experienced of hearing an inner voice emerged through an iterative phenomenological analysis following Van Manen (1990). It contributes a much needed new perspective on the experience of hearing an inner voice and human nature. Included in this paper is a short overview of phenomenological thought as it pertains to the study of the IVE and psychology.

Correspondence: vwaddell1@optusnet.com.au

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