|
|
Consciousness v. information
Consciousness v. information
Consciousness
Vectors
Steven Bodovitz
In:- Consciousness and the Universe (2009-11)
This
paper describes an interesting experiment serving to demonstrate the
distinction between information processing and conscious/subjective
assessment.
In an experiment by Lau & Passingham (2006) subjects are shown an
image
(the target), followed quickly by a second image (the mask). When the
second
image follows quickly enough, the first image/target is removed from
consciousness. In a finding similar to blindsight and other evidence of
non-conscious processing, the subjects' guesses for the nature of images
that
did not get into consciousness were as accurate as their responses for
those
that did enter consciousness.
This comprises yet another study that
contrary
to what is often promoted in parts of modern consciousness studies
indicates
that the brain's information processing and consciousness are distinct
functions. Given studies of this kind, it is not possible to say that
consciousness is just what it is like, or the same thing as, or even a
by-product
of information processing. It might be possible to argue that it did not
have a
function in the light of the subjects' guessing abilities, but other
evidence
does involve it in the longer-run assessment of inputs that the brain is
receiving.
|
|
