Consciousness and the Brain

Neuroscience

The Nature of the Conscious Field

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on August 2, 2024

The brain has three processing stages associated with consciousness. Here, we focus on Stage 2, "the conscious field."

The brain has three processing stages associated with consciousness. Here, we focus on Stage 2, "the conscious field."

Unconscious

Consciousness and Its Three Stages of Processing

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on July 25, 2024

There are three stages of processing in the brain, starting with unconscious processes preceding, and giving rise to, the construction of the “conscious field."

There are three stages of processing in the brain, starting with unconscious processes preceding, and giving rise to, the construction of the “conscious field."

Neuroscience

Consciousness Is More Than the Voice Inside Your Head

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on May 10, 2024

Focusing on our "narrative self" limits our understanding.

Focusing on our "narrative self" limits our understanding.

Emotions

Can You Control Your Emotions?

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on January 29, 2024

New theoretical work helps us understand which aspects of emotional processing can and cannot be controlled.

New theoretical work helps us understand which aspects of emotional processing can and cannot be controlled.

Freudian Psychology

The Unknown vs. the Mysterious

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on January 18, 2024

The "mysteries" of concern to Freud and Jung were restricted to semantic processes, which today are not a mystery. But consciousness remains a true mystery.

The "mysteries" of concern to Freud and Jung were restricted to semantic processes, which today are not a mystery. But consciousness remains a true mystery.

Neuroscience

The Power of the Written Word

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on December 21, 2023

The stimulus of the written word reveals much about the nature of consciousness and the brain. It is one of a few kinds of stimuli that can elicit multiple conscious contents.

The stimulus of the written word reveals much about the nature of consciousness and the brain. It is one of a few kinds of stimuli that can elicit multiple conscious contents.

Consciousness

How Consciousness Is Different From Augmented Reality

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on October 2, 2023

The difference between technologies involving augmented reality and the conscious mind reveal something interesting about the nature of consciousness.

The difference between technologies involving augmented reality and the conscious mind reveal something interesting about the nature of consciousness.

Neuroscience

Consciousness Is Like a Rainbow

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on July 14, 2023

Consciousness is like a rainbow in that it arises from a specific set of circumstances (specialized circuits in the brain). It is an achievement and not a freebie from matter.

Consciousness is like a rainbow in that it arises from a specific set of circumstances (specialized circuits in the brain). It is an achievement and not a freebie from matter.

Persuasion

Responding to X in Light of Y: The Aim of Consciousness

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on December 27, 2022

The conscious field is for one thing, responding to X in light of Y. Consider one's complicated inclinations toward a tasty treat.

The conscious field is for one thing, responding to X in light of Y. Consider one's complicated inclinations toward a tasty treat.

Unconscious

Two Kinds of Unconscious Processes

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on October 26, 2022

There are many kinds of unconscious processes in the brain. Which are the first two that one should identify?

There are many kinds of unconscious processes in the brain. Which are the first two that one should identify?

Memory

The First 4 Fundamentals About Consciousness and the Brain

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on October 9, 2022

Consciousness is associated with a subset of all brain processes and regions.

Consciousness is associated with a subset of all brain processes and regions.

Jealousy

A Stimulating Debate on Consciousness and the Brain

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on July 26, 2022

A discussion about consciousness and the brain includes interesting commentary about theory-building.

A discussion about consciousness and the brain includes interesting commentary about theory-building.

Neuroscience

Can Projective Geometry Help Explain Consciousness?

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on April 7, 2022

Can projective geometry shed light on the riddle of consciousness and the brain?

Can projective geometry shed light on the riddle of consciousness and the brain?

Unconscious

What Is the Puzzle of Consciousness?

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on August 23, 2021

What is the one question that could push forward research on the nature of consciousness?

What is the one question that could push forward research on the nature of consciousness?

Self-Talk

The Chatter in Our Minds

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on January 26, 2021

How can the negative effects of task-unrelated thoughts be diminished?

How can the negative effects of task-unrelated thoughts be diminished?

Education

Consciousness and Kinesiology

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on January 8, 2021

What can kinesiology reveal about consciousness and the brain?

What can kinesiology reveal about consciousness and the brain?

Psychology

Finding Common Ground in Theories on Consciousness

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on April 17, 2020

Finding similarities among theories can reveal insights about mysterious phenomena, such as consciousness.

Finding similarities among theories can reveal insights about mysterious phenomena, such as consciousness.

Environment

What Words Can't Say: The Ineffable Nature of Consciousness

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on December 28, 2019

The ineffable nature of some conscious experiences might reveal secrets about how the brain creates subjective states.

The ineffable nature of some conscious experiences might reveal secrets about how the brain creates subjective states.

Neuroscience

The Explanation of Consciousness Will Involve a Stimulus

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on June 28, 2019

The history of physics provides clues regarding the nature of future theories of consciousness-and-the-brain.

The history of physics provides clues regarding the nature of future theories of consciousness-and-the-brain.

Neuroscience

A Primer on Consciousness and the Brain

Ezequiel Morsella Ph.D. on March 22, 2019

Unpacking theories about the neural correlates of consciousness.

Unpacking theories about the neural correlates of consciousness.