Picture of Anil Seth
Neuroscientists have different views on how consciousness originates. Some believe in the non-materialistic explanations more, while others have a more materialistic stance. In the case of Anil Seth, materialist viewpoints are promoted with a focus on perception.
Seth studies the neural mechanisms associated with consciousness. He believes that consciousness is a biological phenomenon in which we perceive our surroundings. According to Seth, consciousness originates from the brain's attempts to make sense of the world around it. As the brain receives sensory signals, the brain is trying to predict the causes of these signals. The various predictions that the brain makes culminate together to form our perception of reality. This proposed framework by Seth is what he calls a "controlled hallucination" (Hernández, 2022)
Seth's proposition of a controlled hallucination has multiple potential implications for human life. Most directly, Seth's theory can change our view of how we see the world to be more subjective. However, in addition to this, Seth's work can also be used to change how we perceive our minds and help modify treatment approaches to various mental health conditions to focus more on the brain's predictive nature. Overall, Seth's theory of a "controlled hallucination" can provide yet another unique viewpoint on consciousness.
References:
Hernández, S. (2022, November 22). Anil Seth: “Reality is a controlled hallucination.” CCCB LAB. https://lab.cccb.org/en/anil-seth-reality-is-a-controlled-hallucination/
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