Kapantaidakis, Vasilis (2025) Theories of Consciousness A Biological Roadmap for Studying Consciousness. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.
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Abstract
What makes a theory of consciousness biologically plausible? This thesis investigates that central question by analyzing over 120 theoretical contributions published between 2000 and 2025, with a systematic evaluation of 82 distinct models based on their biological grounding, empirical testabil- ity, and explanatory power. This work focuses specifically on identifying which theories offer viable accounts of consciousness that can be studied and validated within a biological framework. The analysis highlights three leading models: Integrated Information Theory (IIT), Global Workspace Theory (GWT), and Higher-Order Thought Theory (HOT) each of which captures distinct aspects of conscious processing: structural integration, functional broadcasting, and introspective awareness, re- spectively. While each of these theories offers a partial explanation, none fully resolves the complex- ity of consciousness. A distinction is drawn between generic consciousness (such as the difference be- tween wakefulness and coma) and specific consciousness (the qualitative content of experience, such as seeing red or hearing a tone), arguing that robust theories must account for both levels. This work also challenges the anthropocentric orientation of the current consciousness research. By restricting inquiry to adult human cognition, the field risks overlooking conscious phenomena in nonverbal, non- human organisms.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Billeter, J.C. |
| Degree programme: | Biology |
| Thesis type: | Bachelor's Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 19 Jun 2025 11:00 |
| Last Modified: | 19 Jun 2025 11:00 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/35385 |
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