Abstract

PEREIRA JUNIOR, Alfredo. A naturalistic approach to human consciousness. Trans/Form/Ação [online]. 2003, vol.26, n.2, pp. 109-141. ISSN 0101-3173.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0101-31732003000200006.

This essay discusses some central philosophical problems concerning the naturalistic concept of consciousness, as well as evidence from neuropsychology and neurophysiology regarding the relation of brain activity and conscious experience. Initially I review the problem of defining "consciousness", the philosophical approach to the phenomenon and its relation to emotional processes. The next step is a proposal of three conditions for the attribution of consciousness to physical systems. In the following section, I identify different modalities of consciousness and their respective neural correlates in different spatial and temporal scales. Finally, I discuss possible biophysical mechanisms underlying conscious processing.

Keywords : Consciousness; neural Correlates; neuropsychology; neurophysiology; emotion.