A landscape of consciousness: Toward a taxonomy of explanations and implications.

A landscape of explanations for consciousness is presented, ranging from physicalist to nonphysicalist theories. Categories include materialism theories, non-reductive physicalism, quantum theories, integrated information theory, panpsychisms, monisms, dualisms, idealisms, and others. Each theory is described from its adherents' perspective, with minimal critique and no adjudication. The implications of these theories are assessed regarding meaning, purpose, and value; AI consciousness; virtual immortality; and survival beyond death. The author suggests that this landscape offers perspective.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Diverse explanations or theories of consciousness are arrayed on a roughly physicalist-to-nonphysicalist landscape of essences and mechanisms. Categories: Materialism Theories (philosophical, neurobiological, electromagnetic field, computational and informational, homeostatic and affective, embodied and enactive, relational, representational, language, phylogenetic evolution); Non-Reductive Physicalism; Quantum Theories; Integrated Information Theory; Panpsychisms; Monisms; Dualisms; Idealisms; Anomalous and Altered States Theories; Challenge Theories. There are many subcategories, especially for Materialism Theories. Each explanation is self-described by its adherents, critique is minimal and only for clarification, and there is no attempt to adjudicate among theories. The implications of consciousness explanations or theories are assessed with respect to four questions: meaning/purpose/value (if any); AI consciousness; virtual immortality; and survival beyond death. A Landscape of Consciousness, I suggest, offers perspective.