by Bernard J. Baars | Jul 5, 2020 | conscious brain, Conscious Experiences, Global Workspace Theory, Podcast, Psychobiology
In this uplifting episode recorded at La Jolla landmark D.G. Wills Books, neuroscientists Bernie Baars & David Edelman unpack the nature of consciousness — the ineffable sense of ‘aboutness’ each one of us experiences that encompasses features of the outside...
by Bernard J. Baars | Jun 20, 2020 | AI, conscious brain, Conscious Experiences, Neurorobotics, Podcast, Psychobiology
In this episode of “On Consciousness,” neuroscientists Bernie Baars, Jeff Krichmar, and David Edelman engage in a freewheeling conversation that begins with mulling over the possible development of conscious machines — or ‘conscious artifact,’ as Gerald...
by Bernard J. Baars | May 25, 2020 | conscious brain, Conscious Experiences, Cortex and Consciousness, Global Workspace Theory, Podcast, Psychobiology
Why are we conscious? Is cortex the organ of mind? Throughout human history, people have perceived the conscious brain as the great nexus of human life, of social relationships, of their personal identities and histories, in encounters with new challenges. In Episode...
by Bernard J. Baars | Apr 25, 2020 | conscious brain, Conscious Experiences, Feelings of knowing, Podcast, Psychobiology
The engine of evolution is geared to overproduce and selectively eliminate. How do biological systems confront, adapt, and survive an ever-changing world? This is the central question that defined Charles Darwin’s scientific journey. In Episode #4 of NATURALIZING...
by Bernard J. Baars | Jan 9, 2020 | Conscious Experiences, Cortex and Consciousness
A large and coherent body of evidence now shows that cortex and its resonant satellite, the thalamus, jointly constitute the brain basis of conscious experiences. However, the states of waking, sleep and REM dreaming are switched on and off by basal brain nuclei that...
by Bernard J. Baars | Oct 22, 2019 | Conscious Experiences, Feelings of knowing
Qualitative consciousness is sensory: Explicit consciousness is conceptual The philosopher Ned Block makes a distinction between qualitative (sensory) consciousness and explicit propositions, which are not clearly experienced as having sensory qualities. These include...
