Epistemological challenges for neural correlates of consciousness: A defense of medical research on consciousness.

Recent consciousness science has focused on finding neural correlates of consciousness (NCC), but this remains an ambitious goal due to an epistemological challenge called the 'Problem of coordination,' which slows experimental progress. The content-based or 'local' conception of consciousness suffers from this problem. An alternative 'state-based' or global approach, grounded in clinical research on disorders of consciousness, may offer a more reliable path forward.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Recent work in the field of consciousness science has predominantly focused on the search for neural correlates of consciousness (NCC). However, despite significant technological advances in recent decades, defining NCC remains an ambitious goal in consciousness research. The main difficulty stems from an epistemological challenge known as the "Problem of coordination", which hinders or at least slows down the experimental process inherent to the study of consciousness. Fundamental research has mainly focused on a content-based conception of consciousness, often referred to as a "local" conception of consciousness. This approach suffers from the Problem of coordination and its consequences. However, an alternative, more reliable approach could be considered, namely, the global or "state-based" approach, which is grounded in clinical research on consciousness disorders.