title: Physical integration: a causal account for consciousness.
abstract: The issue of integration in neural networks is intimately connected with that of consciousness. In this paper, integration as an effective level of physical organization is contrasted with a methodological integrative approach. Understanding how consciousness arises out of neural processes requires a model of integration in just causal physical terms. Based on a set of feasible criteria (physical grounding, causal efficacy, no circularity and scaling), a causal account of physical integration for consciousness centered on joint causation is outlined.
authors.affiliation: Institute "GP Fabris", IULM University, via Carlo Bo, 8, 20143 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manzotti
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chella
mesh_terms: D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Unity; consciousness; integration; perception; physicalism; wholes