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Consciousness and Complexity: Neurobiological Naturalism and Integrated Information Theory

Ellia, Francesco and Chis-Ciure, Robert (2022) Consciousness and Complexity: Neurobiological Naturalism and Integrated Information Theory. [Preprint]

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Abstract

In this paper we take a meta-theoretical stance to compare two frameworks that endeavor to explain phenomenal experience. In particular, we compare Feinberg & Mallatt’s Neurobiological Naturalism (NN) and Tononi and colleagues’ Integrated Information Theory (IIT), given that the former pointed out some similarities between the two theories (Feinberg & Mallatt 2016c-d). To probe how similar they are, we first give a general introduction to both frameworks. Next, we provide a ground plan for carrying out our analysis. We move on to articulate a philosophical profile of NN and IIT, addressing their ontological commitments and epistemological foundations. Finally, we compare the two point-by-point, also discussing how they stand on the issue of artificial consciousness. We find the two theories to be constitutionally different. IIT treats consciousness as a fundamental feature of the world (its ontology) and investigates its structure from the mathematical standpoint of integrated information (its epistemology). NN, by contrast, treats consciousness as an emerging feature confined to living organisms with complex brains (its ontology) and investigates with neurobiology,


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Ellia, Francescofrancesco.ellia1@outlook.it0000-0001-8351-3482
Chis-Ciure, Robertrobertchisciure@gmail.com0000-0001-8008-132X
Keywords: Consciousness; Neurobiological Naturalism; Integrated Information Theory; Theory of Consciousness; Artificial Consciousness
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Neuroscience > Cognitive Neuroscience
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Depositing User: Dr. Robert Chis-Ciure
Date Deposited: 25 Jun 2022 03:52
Last Modified: 25 Jun 2022 03:52
Item ID: 20789
Official URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/...
DOI or Unique Handle: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2022.103281
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Neuroscience > Cognitive Neuroscience
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Date: March 2022
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/20789

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