Consciousness Research Articles

Posthuman Encounters and Patterns of Care in Klara and the Sun (2021) or, What Ishiguro’s AI Tells Us About the Uncanny Valley

The protagonist of Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun (2021) seems a perfect candidate to take us through the uncanny valley (Mori, 1970)—a place where the once attractive almost-but-not-quite-human suddenly repulses us. Klara is an artificially intelligent android and the best carer to Josie, a teenager afflicted with a fatal condition. She is also a sympathetic narrator and focaliser, until a plot twist presents her in an entirely different light. Told from the AI’s viewpoint, the fable informs our experience of the uncanny valley. While Mori’s model focused on appearance, the notion that Klara might replicate human consciousness brings up the hypothesis of an ‘uncanny valley of the mind.’ Yet, through most of the story, sharing the AI’s perspective is exhilarating rather than off-putting. Ultimately, in encountering this peculiar narrator, we are reminded that storytelling allows us to theorise about and rejoice in the inner lives of others, human and not.

És mi, magyarok milyennek látjuk Brazíliát?

Although the image of Brazil had been present in the Hungarian con sciousness since the middle of the sixteenth century, when Miklós Zrínyi published a pamphlet entitled A török áfium ellen való orvosság („The Remedy against Turkish Opium”), it was only after the Portuguese royal family relocated to Rio de Janeiro and Brazilian independence aspirations unfolded that more attention was paid to the South American country. This study focuses on the representation of Brazil in the Hungarian press, analyzing articles from the end of the eighteenth century to the end of the 1850s.

Is artificial consciousness achievable? Lessons from the human brain

We here analyse the question of developing artificial consciousness from an evolutionary perspective, taking the evolution of the human brain and its relation with consciousness as a reference model or as a benchmark. This kind of analysis reveals several structural and functional features of the human brain that appear to be key for reaching human-like complex conscious experience and that current research on Artificial Intelligence (AI) should take into account in its attempt to develop systems capable of human-like conscious processing. We argue that, even if AI is limited in its ability to emulate human consciousness for both intrinsic (i.e., structural and architectural) and extrinsic (i.e., related to the current stage of scientific and technological knowledge) reasons, taking inspiration from those characteristics of the brain that make human-like conscious processing possible and/or modulate it, is a potentially promising strategy towards developing conscious AI.Also, it cannot be theoretically excluded that AI research can develop partial or potentially alternative forms of consciousness that are qualitatively different from the human form, and that may be either more or less sophisticated depending on the perspectives. Therefore, we recommend neuroscience-inspired caution in talking about artificial consciousness: since the use of the same word “consciousness” for humans and AI becomes ambiguous and potentially misleading, we propose to clearly specify which level and/or type of consciousness AI research aims to develop, as well as what would be common versus differ in AI conscious processing compared to human conscious experience.

From Silence to Sound: Graeme Clark's Cochlear Implant.

Graeme Clark is an exceptional Australian professor and otolaryngologist who spent most of his life researching a way to help his deaf father and others suffering from profound hearing loss gain a better connection to those around them. His invention, the cochlear implant, has changed the lives of over 300,000 people around the world, with more than half of those individuals being children. Clark successfully created the first sensory connection linking the external world with human consciousness. He subsequently established the Bionic Ear Institute, now known as the Bionics Institute, to further improve his invention through research. He served as the full-time director until he retired at age 70 in 2005. Graeme Clark has been recognized worldwide for restoring hearing to the deaf and greatly improving their everyday lives.

Brain state identification and neuromodulation to promote recovery of consciousness.

Experimental and clinical studies of consciousness identify brain states (i.e. quasi-stable functional cerebral organization) in a non-systematic manner and largely independent of the research into brain state modulation. In this narrative review, we synthesize advances in the identification of brain states associated with consciousness in animal models and physiological (sleep), pharmacological (anaesthesia) and pathological (disorders of consciousness) states of altered consciousness in humans. We show that in reduced consciousness the frequencies in which the brain operates are slowed down and that the pattern of functional communication is sparser, less efficient, and less complex. The results also highlight damaged resting-state networks, in particular the default mode network, decreased connectivity in long-range connections and especially in the thalamocortical loops. Next, we show that therapeutic approaches to treat disorders of consciousness, through pharmacology (e.g. amantadine, zolpidem), and (non-) invasive brain stimulation (e.g. transcranial direct current stimulation, deep brain stimulation) have shown partial effectiveness in promoting consciousness recovery. Although some features of conscious brain states may improve in response to neuromodulation, targeting often remains non-specific and does not always lead to (behavioural) improvements. The fields of brain state identification and neuromodulation of brain states in relation to consciousness are showing fascinating developments that, when integrated, might propel the development of new and better-targeted techniques for disorders of consciousness. We here propose a therapeutic framework for the identification and modulation of brain states to facilitate the interaction between the two fields. We propose that brain states should be identified in a predictive setting, followed by theoretical and empirical testing (i.e. in animal models, under anaesthesia and in patients with a disorder of consciousness) of neuromodulation techniques to promote consciousness in line with such predictions. This framework further helps to identify where challenges and opportunities lay for the maturation of brain state research in the context of states of consciousness. It will become apparent that one angle of opportunity is provided through the addition of computational modelling. Finally, it aids in recognizing possibilities and obstacles for the clinical translation of these diagnostic techniques and neuromodulation treatment options across both the multimodal and multi-species approaches outlined throughout the review.

In search for evolutionary roots of a mindful cognition: A Darwinian view on sustained intentional awareness

The attention system underwent important evolutionary changes and specializations in the human genus. In fact, our outstanding social and technological complexity strictly depends on our attentional ability, which is sustained, intentional, and conscious. Attention, intention, and awareness are key features for what can be defined a mindful cognition, and we may wonder whether a specific combination of these cognitive traits may be the result of a natural selective process, or else an accidental by-product of mental complexity. In this article, basic concepts in evolutionary anthropology are reviewed, to consider whether positive, neutral, or negative selective forces might have influenced the evolution of a mindful cognitive ability. At present, all these alternatives are potentially supported by different kinds of evidence. Hybrid hypotheses, considering stabilizing mechanisms or distinct social roles and intra-specific variation, are also likely. An evolutionary approach to the cognitive abilities involved in attention and awareness can reveal potentialities, limitations, and drawbacks of our individual and collective natural behaviors, especially when dealing with the evolution of the human consciousness.

Beyond the Veil: What near-death experiences tell us about human consciousness.

Beyond the Veil: What near-death experiences tell us about human consciousness.

Neuroimaging and electrophysiology techniques unveiling the mystery of disorders of consciousness: a narrative review

The diagnosis and prognosis of disorders of consciousness pose challenges for clinics because human consciousness is still a mysterious and unknown phenomenon. Scientists and clinicians are seeking evidence from neuroimaging and electrophysiology to explore the biological and pathological mechanisms of human consciousness. They attempt to provide new insights into the neuronal foundations of consciousness injury and recovery. These findings have improved the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis and prognosis of disorders of consciousness to some extent. However, they are still not clearly sorted out. Herein, we structure the available knowledge on the basis of neuroimaging (including positron emission tomography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy) and electrophysiology (spontaneous electroencephalography, event-related potentials, brain–computer interfaces, and transcranial magnetic stimulation-evoked electroencephalography) studies and their associations with disorders of consciousness-relevant clinical practice. Our aim is to promote their translation into the clinical management of patients with disorders of consciousness.

Classification of Three Anesthesia Stages Based on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Signals.

Proper monitoring of anesthesia stages can guarantee the safe performance of clinical surgeries. In this study, different anesthesia stages were classified using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) signals with machine learning. The cerebral hemodynamic variables of right proximal oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) in maintenance (MNT), emergence (EM) and the consciousness (CON) stage were collected and then the differences between the three stages were compared by phase-amplitude coupling (PAC). Then combined with time-domain including linear (mean, standard deviation, max, min and range), nonlinear (sample entropy) and power in frequency-domain signal features, feature selection was performed and finally classification was performed by support vector machine (SVM) classifier. The results show that the PAC of the NIRS signal was gradually enhanced with the deepening of anesthesia level. A good three-classification accuracy of 69.27% was obtained, which exceeded the result of classification of any single category feature. These results indicate the feasibility of NIRS signals in performing three or even more anesthesia stage classifications, providing insight into the development of new anesthesia monitoring modalities.

Искусственный интеллект как метафора, объект и субъект философского анализа

The article examines epistemological, ethical, anthropological, and other aspects of understanding self-learning programs called “neural networks” or “artificial intelligence”. The problematic nature of the latter is addressed in the research by reviewing three dozen studies of the idea of artificial intelligence, which were presented on April 4, 2024, at a joint scientific conference of the Center for Phe­nomenological Philosophy of the Russian State University for the Humanities and the Sector of Social Epistemology of the Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences. Based on the materials of the conference, this article examines artificial intelligence from the perspective of the history of philosophy and futurist literary images in comparison with human and other conceivable consciousness, both possessing free will as well as lacking it. Another aspect of this research provides an understanding of the problem areas of the theology of artificial intelligence and the place of artificial intelligence in modern theo­logy, as well as providing an analysis of the technical side of the implementation of existing and expected computer systems claiming to be “artificial intelli­gence”. The conference proved to be an important event for discussing philo­sophical and ethical issues related to the development of artificial intelligence and provided a platform for further research and understanding of the impact of AI on society and human individuality. This article outlines the general per­spective of the conference and, more specifically, selected theses

"Concept of Human Consciousness in Indian Philosophy”

"Concept of Human Consciousness in Indian Philosophy”

Quantifying the Transition from Unconscious to Conscious Detection of Temporal Patterns in Vigilance Tasks: A Unique Adaptation of Mackworth's Clock Test.

This study investigates the cognitive mechanisms underlying vigilance and pattern recognition using a novel adaptation of Mackworth's Clock Test. We aimed to quantify the time it takes for temporal patterns detected unconsciously through implicit learning to surface in the conscious mind within a dynamic vigilance task environment. Forty-eight participants detected random and non-disclosed rhythmic anomalous clock hand movements in this setting. Our results indicate significant variability in detection accuracy, reaction times, and the ability to recognize the hidden pattern among participants. Notably, 23% of all participants and 56% of those who consciously reported the pattern exhibited statistically lower reaction times indicative of knowledge of the pattern 40 s before conscious identification. These findings provide valuable insights into the transition from unconscious to conscious detection, highlighting the complexity of sustained attention and pattern recognition. The study's implications extend to designing training programs and tasks for high-stakes professions requiring prolonged vigilance. Future research should further explore the cognitive and neural correlates of these processes and the impact of task complexity on performance.

Husserl’s Notion of Solitary Speech Reconsidered: In Conversation with Vygotsky

ABSTRACT This paper clarifies the phenomenon Edmund Husserl referred to as “solitary speech,” defending his account against the deconstructionist claim that it serves as a mere prop for his transcendental project. To do this, first, I examine how this idea has been misunderstood by Jacques Derrida in Speech and Phenomena. Second, I present Husserl's account of solitary speech as a strictly phenomenological-psychological analysis of a concrete unit of psychic experience, drawing on Husserl's broader view on the relationship between psychology and phenomenology. Third, I compare Husserl's account to Lev Vygotsky's empirical psychological account of “inner speech” to demonstrate their affinity, and to re-establish the misunderstood theme of solitary speech as a concrete linguistic and cognitive phenomenon. This not only corrects the deconstructionist bias but sets a proper approach to the phenomenon of solitary speech, which can contribute to a broader account of the linguistic and cultural formation of human consciousness.

THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE FAMILIAR AND THE EERIE: THE REPRESENTATION OF FREUD’S UNCANNY IN BECKETT’S ENDGAME

This article examines the interaction between the familiar and the eerie, as theorized by Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) in his essay “The Uncanny” (1919), and to what extent such an interaction may have been represented in the barren and post-apocalyptic setting of Samuel Beckett’s (1906-1989) Endgame (1957). Freud’s concept of the uncanny reveals it as a phenomenon that arises from the unsettling revival of what was once familiar, now transformed into something strangely unfamiliar. By conducting an analysis of Freud’s uncanny and its representation in Beckett’s play, this research aims to explain the existence of the eerie in human consciousness and its influence on the existential challenges represented by the actions and dialogues of the characters, the setting and the repetitive, seemingly pointless exchanges between Hamm and Clov. The play’s representation of reliance, isolation, and the ongoing struggle because of the inescapable nature of death puts forth the idea of the uncanny. Therefore, the play has parallels with Freud’s concept of the uncanny since it represents the uncanny as an element of the human experience, marked by an ongoing struggle that takes place between existence and nonexistence, actuality and deception.

Retranslation of The Analects of Confucius and the Causes for Retranslation

The Analects of Confucius is a representative work of Confucian classics in China, and it has been translated into various languages. However, due to the differences in subjective consciousness, historical culture, translation purposes, life experiences, and other aspects, the interpretations of The Analects in each translation are entirely different. This paper primarily analyzes the retranslation and the causes behind the retranslation of The Analects of Confucius, aiming to further deepen the understanding of The Analects in different countries and expand its circulation range.

Selfhood Beyond Death

Abstract There is a strong secular consensus that death terminates subjective consciousness. In this paper I show that this consensus can be meaningfully doubted for entirely secular reasons. After formulating the strongest possible argument which supports this consensus, I argue that it inconsistently excludes Constitutive Russellian Panpsychism (CRP) from consideration. CRP, I maintain, is fully consistent with the possibility of post-thanatological consciousness. To flesh out this account, I develop an account of the Panpsychist Self (PS) that can be axiomatically derived from CRP. I then show that the PS has the right metaphysical structure to ensure that the persistence of consciousness beyond brain death aligns with the persistence of our individual selves.

Opozycja svij ‘swój’ – czużyj ‘obcy’: co zmieniło się podczas inwazji Rosji na Ukrainę?

Since cognitive linguistics explores the conceptual structures of human consciousness through their language manifestations relying on empirical methods, it provides a new approach to the study of binary oppositions. Despite numerous studies of this phenomenon, many of the questions raised here have not been fully answered. As binary oppositions are not absolutely stable structures inherent to human consciousness, we need to study them within specific linguacultures and explore their modification over different periods of time. This article presents an empirical study of the binary opposition sviy 'us (our)' – chuzhyy 'them (their)' in the minds of Ukrainian speakers based on the method of an associative experiment conducted in the period from 6 November 2022 to 29 February 2024. The data obtained were compared with the results of the experiments recorded in the Associative Thesaurus of the Ukrainian Language (UAS 2007). The aim of the study is to analyse the binary opposition sviy 'us (our)' – chuzhyy 'them (their)' and changes in its content and evaluative characteristics in the minds of Ukrainian speakers as a result of the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Recovery From Inner Child

The phenomenon of inner child or childhood experiences is one of the factors that shapes a person's character. Everyone experiences their own inner child to varying degrees and with different impacts. Family conflicts experienced during childhood, harsh treatment or words received by parents during childhood can have the impact of painful emotional wounds on a child who becomes an inner child. Parenting style is an important factor in the formation of an inner child. Parenting is the interaction between parents and children, what is the attitude or behavior of parents when interacting with children, for example how to set rules, teach normative values, provide attention and affection and show good attitudes and behavior so that they become role models and role models for children. -his son. The research aims to review one of the factors causing mental health disorders, namely the inner child and how the book of Isa reconciles and escapes the negative influence of the inner child based on research journals that have been conducted previously. The method used in this research is the Literature Review research method.. The result requires self-awareness of the inner child within oneself and this will help to reprogram one's conscious mind to be more adaptable to current life. Try to make peace with the existence of your inner child so you can live a more positive and happy life. This inner child cannot be considered trivial because it can have a negative impact on the person's personality and a solution needs to be found, so that it doesn't happen again in future generations, because if this inner child is not cured it will become a chain of inner children that will continue to repeat itself in the next generation..

Waxing and waning consciousness in a patient with a midbrain cavernous malformation: illustrative case.

Understanding the intricate relationship between consciousness and the midbrain's structures remains a significant challenge in neuroscience. Transient lesions are perfect examples of the physiological functioning mechanism of these structures. The authors present the case of a 49-year-old female who experienced a transient disorder of consciousness due to a midbrain hematoma following surgical interventions to remove a cavernous malformation in the midbrain. This case explores the interplay between the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) and the thalamic centers, highlighting the role of structural disruptions in influencing consciousness levels. Notably, the patient's recovery correlated with the resolution of midbrain edema, reinstating normal ARAS function and consciousness. In patients affected by midbrain lesions, edema can lead to a fluctuating neurological status, which can be difficult to diagnose. This case highlights the midbrain's crucial role in the consciousness network and the need to comprehend the intricate connections between subcortical and cortical structures for a comprehensive understanding of human consciousness. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE2411.

Filmmaking as a Medium of Public Communication in Addressing Social Problems

Purpose: This paper is focused on the role of motion pictures as a medium of public communication directed at addressing social problems and evoking a change in behaviour of the masses. From the moment the art of cinema was born in the late 19th century, films have served as an instrument of shifting public consciousness, i.e., inspiring social change, disseminating ideas and values, raising awareness of the acute social, cultural, and political issues etc. The purpose of this research is to consider, study, and analyse film production as: a) a form of reflecting significant socio-political processes and cultural innovations, as well as representing ideologies; and b) a mechanism that creates, forms, and shapes a new social reality. Materials and Methods: The methodology of this research is based on content analysis and focused on the dynamics of cinematic response to the acute global issues, as well as development of social problem films as an instrument of public communication aimed at raising awareness and inspiring a change within society. The theory to be proved through this paper is that motion pictures have a major influencing power over human brain and social consciousness, and that this power can and has been applied to evoke large-scaled shifts in society. Findings: To summarize the key findings, the content analysis of notable social problem film productions, their impact on the dynamics in public attitudes, and consequent changes in behaviour of the masses demonstrate the pattern of filmmakers’ exponential progress in communicating social message to the target audience and, to a greater or lesser extent, managing to affect, shift, or even transform social reality. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: In order to support the proposed theory and expand the knowledge on “the formula” of success in influencing public mind through filmmaking, further research is required.