The Consciousness Paradox
Is consciousness a fundamental property of the universe, or an emergent byproduct of neural complexity? Two competing frameworks—Integrated Information Theory and Global Workspace Theory—offer radically different answers with profound implications for our understanding of selfhood.
Key Conflict
Substrate vs. Process: Whether consciousness is intrinsic to information integration or emerges from specific broadcast architectures.
Interpretation Angle
Vedantic Perspective: Consciousness as Brahman (foundational reality) vs. materialist reduction to neural correlates.
Tononi, G. (2008). Consciousness as Integrated Information. Biological Bulletin, 215(3). Baars, B.J. (1997). In the Theater of Consciousness. Oxford University Press.