Comparing theories of consciousness: why it matters and how to do it
Neuroscience of Consciousness January 1, 2021 S. H. del Pin, Zuzanna Skóra, K. Sandberg et al.
Most research on consciousness tests only a single theory, and when theories are compared the comparisons are often verbal and non-systematic, which may contribute to the lack of convergence in the field. The authors argue that meaningful comparisons require evaluating whether predictions are parallel or contrasting, and they examine why direct comparisons are rare, suggesting the unique nature of consciousness itself as a possible explanation. They conclude that the field should embrace this uniqueness and specify the features a theory of consciousness must account for.