Embodied Consciousness Theory

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new theory of consciousness based on brain computation, emphasizing motor cortex activity's role in relaying conscious experiences, and aims to address fundamental issues in physicalism and meta-level problems.

Contribution

It introduces a simple, computation-based theory of consciousness that aligns with recent neuroscientific findings and addresses gaps in existing theories like GWT and IIT.

Findings

Motor cortex activity is linked to relaying conscious experiences.

The theory aligns with recent neuroscientific evidence.

Provides a fundamental basis for physicalist explanations of consciousness.

Abstract

The mysterious phenomenon of consciousness, after having been the subject of philosophic attention for few millennia, has drawn much scientific curiosity in recent decades; and many brilliant minds of various areas of sciences are trying to throw some light on it. Present neuroscience knowledge allows envisioning the neural processes behind the physical aspects of consciousness, however what may be behind the experiences of it, which has no physical insignia, has remained a mystery despite the grounds gained in recent well received efforts: monumental endeavors concluding in the known theories such as global workspace theory (GWT) [1] and integrated information theory (IIT) [2], fall short of providing a solid theory for consciousness: the former proposes a simple hypothesis concerning the neural basis of 'making a conscious mental effort,' and the latter, assuming 'experience to be an intrinsic property of the brain,' formulates how it is transitioned, through certain information based neural activity, to its physical substrate. Present work puts forward a theory of consciousness, rooted in the simple and straightforward implications of the computational operation of the brain which is consistent with well known facts and recent findings, which indicates presence of motor cortex activity in relaying conscious experiences. Despite simplicity, the theory provides fundamental basis for physicalism [3], as well answers for some Meta level problems of consciousness.