Psychology and Neuroscience Stack Exchange
Psychology and Neuroscience Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [consciousness]

For questions that have to do with a sense of being awake and aware in the literal sense, but also those having to do with the nature of the mind and the formation of the individual.

For questions that have to do with a sense of being awake and aware in the literal sense, but also those having to do with the nature of the mind and the formation of the individual.

For further information see Consciousness.

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What are the internal and external variables for varying levels of self-awareness?

I'm looking for references to studies that show which variables increase or decrease self-awareness and to what degree. For example, internal variables could be level of a certain vitamin, brain chemical, oxygen level, form of spine, etc. and/or…
Greg McNulty
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Different levels of consciousness

The answer provided by @user287279 to When does a human baby develop a consciousness? is a great answer in my mind which scrapes the surface of what consciousness consists of. When you look at consciousness and how there are different levels to it,…
Chris Rogers
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Definitions of consciousness

It seems to me that many people know for themselves some extraordinary things about consciousness but rare are the people that can provide a definition of it. I have never met two people providing the same definition of consciousness (I never talked…
Remi.b
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Is consciousness a biological function?

I'm watching a TED Talk by John Searle who is claiming that consciousness is a biological function. Is there any indisputable evidence for or against this assertion?
Micah Bolen
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Consciousness as sufficient complexity

First of all, let me state that I am a newcomer to cognitive science in general and this community in particular, so feel free to chew me out if this question is inappropriate in some way. I have always thought that the definition of consciousness…
user16192
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What is the simplest entity that would be considered "conscious"?

Generally, we think of humans as having a (relatively) advanced level of consciousness, but we don't think of simple molecules as having any sort of mental capacity at all. So where in between does the phenomenon of consciousness arise? Update: I…
user3503
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What is our higher self?

Some religious or philosophical systems hold that there is an immaterial divine component to human existence, like the Soul or the Higher Self. Is there any kind of scientific evidence that such a supernatural essence of the person exists, and if…
user4951
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Evidence that qualia are not the same as physical processes?

With regards to the answer posted by @sandygautman in the question Do feelings have a purpose: Let me first state that I don't have a problem with either the question nor the answer; I'm only looking for some clarification. From the answer: If…
BenCole
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Mushin - Enormous improve state of controlled subconscious mind

Mushin in Japanese and Wuxin in Chinese (無心 "no mind") is a mental state. Zen and Daoist meditators attempt to reach this state, as well as artists and trained martial artists. They also practice this mental state during everyday…
Banana Tech
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Isn’t the concept of « Conscious agent » developped by Donald Hoffman a variation on the ancient idea of homonculus?

Isn’t the concept of « Conscious agent » developed by Donald Hoffman a variation on the ancient concept of homonculus? The idea of homunculus is the idea that consciousness is not the body or a part of the body (the brain) or a function of the body…
Serge Hulne
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Consciousness - on/off switch or spectrum?

When we read the theories of consciousness, they usually state that a thing either has consciousness or does not have consciousness. Is there a reason why consciousness cannot be thought to be a spectrum? For example, I have more consciousness than…
Yvonne Liew
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What would explain an intense feeling of being extremely present, for no reason?

What would explain an intense feeling of being extremely present, randomly and for no reason ? The feeling is not tied to any behavior, thought or action. It comes out of nowhere, when doing a usual remedial task, like driving or walking somewhere.…
Greg McNulty
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Can motor or muscle actions actually be conscious?

Of course I can think of performing actions, but all of that seems to be part of sensory feedback or memory. The implementation of how the action itself is done feels unconscious. I've also heard of a study saying we're aware of our voluntary…
th2o
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How to explain/name the "Feeling gigantic" sensation?

A bit similar to this question, I did experience, twice, something, that I would qualify of, pretty weird. A feeling of being gigantic, it was very very disconcerting. Like, you look around you and you feel like everything around is you is way way…
jeromej
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