86-382 The Psychology and Neuroscience of Consciousness
9 units, Carnegie Mellon University
This course will explore consciousness as a scientific problem. It aims to dispel obscurity and mystery to make clear how consciousness can be illuminated empirically and theoretically without losing site of the phenomenal. We begin with isolating the basic phenomenon, delve into the conceptual and philosophical background dividing access from phenomenal consciousness, and discuss methods for tracking consciousness. We will then identify two clear questions about generic and specific consciousness. On generic consciousness, we shall explore a set of empirical theories of consciousness and the evidence that supports them. This will include recurrent processing theory, global workspace theory, and higherorder theory among others. On specific consciousness, we will look at neural correlates and experimental interventions to test causal claims about how consciousness arises from the brain, with specific emphasis on sensory consciousness and the role of information and representation. Special topics will likely include the attention in consciousness, consciousness and agency, vegetative state, unconscious sensory processing in normal and lesioned brains, split brain phenomena and abnormal consciousness in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. If possible, we will have a few guest lectures by local experts.
Prerequisites: 85-213 or 85-211 or 85-219
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