Electromagnetic theories of Experience [Resource]

Consciousness: Matter or EMF?

Johnjoe McFadden

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2022.1024934

The paper challenges traditional theories of consciousness that focus on neuronal matter, proposing instead that the brain’s electromagnetic (EM) field serves as the substrate for consciousness. It critiques conventional models, demonstrating how EM field theories offer fresh insights into consciousness and potential pathways for developing artificial consciousness. The paper differentiates intelligence from consciousness, arguing that EM theories explain consciousness’s emergence through natural selection and neural activity. It significantly contributes to the Research Topic by providing a thorough evaluation of EM theories against established criteria and exploring the evolutionary role of electromagnetic fields in consciousness.

Electromagnetic-field theories of qualia: can they improve upon standard neuroscience?

Mostyn W. Jones, Tam Hunt

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1015967

The paper investigates electromagnetic (EM) field theories as a means to explain qualia - the subjective experiences of consciousness, such as colors, pains, and emotions - which standard neuroscience struggles to fully address. It reviews various EM field theories of qualia, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses against traditional synaptic neuroscience approaches. The authors focus on three core issues: identifying neural correlates of specific qualia, integrating qualia into a cohesive perceptual experience, and tackling the “hard problem” of consciousness, the metaphysical link between neural events and qualia. The paper proposes that, though still developing, EM field theories offer promising pathways for understanding consciousness and qualia, potentially surpassing conventional neuroscience explanations.

Consciousness and its hard problems: separating the ontological from the evolutionary

Thurston Lacalli

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1196576

The paper examines the role of evolution in consciousness theories, introducing the “consciousness machine” concept to explore how ontology and evolution shape consciousness. It investigates whether consciousness arises from electromagnetic field effects or neural connectivity and information flow. The paper also analyses the evolution of consciousness and agency, proposing that agency may be more developmental than evolutionary. It explores links between consciousness emergence and behaviour, highlighting a distinction between phenomenal experience and agency across developmental and evolutionary timescales. The author concludes that understanding consciousness requires addressing both simpler issues, like neurocircuitry innovations, and complex ones, like the ontological basis of subjective experience.

Don’t forget the boundary problem! How EM field topology can address the overlooked cousin to the binding problem for consciousness

Andrés Gómez-Emilsson, Chris Percy

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2023.1233119

The paper investigates the “boundary problem” in consciousness theories, often overlooked compared to the binding problem. It proposes that electromagnetic (EM) field topology may explain how distinct consciousness boundaries are formed. While current theories emphasize unifying experiences into a single first-person perspective (the binding problem), they often ignore why these experiences have specific spatial and temporal limits (the boundary problem). Through EM field theories, the paper suggests that topological segmentation within EM fields could conceptually and empirically address the boundary problem, providing a fresh perspective for consciousness research.

When thinking about Electromagnetic field theories of Consciousness, it's worthwhile considering this video clip from a recent public lecture by Juan Maldacena, arguably one of our greatest living Theoretical Physicists, talking about our Experience of electromagnetism:

"
...so we know that Nature is just one.
It's not divided into gravity and
electromagnetism or matter.
This is just a division in our mind.
Nature is just one...

"

https://x.com/maxxbone/status/1961772178807947647