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    Communication without consciousness: the theory of brain-sign

    Clapson, Philip (2016) Communication without consciousness: the theory of brain-sign. Activitas Nervosa Superior 58 (3-4), pp. 84-107. ISSN 1802-9698.

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    Abstract

    Despite developments in neuroscience, consciousness is unidentified in the brain. Moreover there is no scientific definition of what it is or does. This paper proposes that consciousness is not a scientific category. However, by ‘postulating’ consciousness as self-explanation, the brain can communicate with other brains in collective action. But the brain can generate a more plausible self-description as brain-sign. There are two foundational tenets. (1) Brain-sign arises from the brain’s interpretation of its causal orientation towards the world at each moment, and is ‘apparent’ as the world; and (2) It facilitates communication between brains about the world in collective action which is uncertain or imprecise. It is therefore grounded in the brain’s bio-physical operation. Signs are ubiquitous bio-physical states, but they are not causal for the hosting organism. The paper contrasts brain-sign with consciousness both as theory, and in empirical findings. Brain-sign is the source of all theories, including itself.

    Metadata

    Item Type: Article
    Keyword(s) / Subject(s): brain science, brain-sign, brain theory, brain-to-brain communication, collective action, consciousness, inter-organism communication
    School: Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science > School of Psychological Sciences
    Research Centres and Institutes: Brain and Cognitive Development, Centre for (CBCD)
    Depositing User: Philip Clapson
    Date Deposited: 03 Feb 2017 12:24
    Last Modified: 02 Aug 2023 17:31
    URI: https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/18062

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