Phenomenological Reviews

Series | Book | Chapter

147132

Field theories of mind and brain

Jeffrey Yoshimi

pp. 111-129

Abstract

Aron Gurwitsch's Gestalt-inspired "field theory of consciousness" was introduced in the same period as Wolfgang Köhler's theory of "electrical brain fields." I consider parallels between these theories, drawing on results that have emerged in the last five years. First, I consider the claim that fields of consciousness supervene on electromagnetic fields in the brain, then I outline Gurwitsch's field theory of consciousness, and finally I consider how the structures described by Gurwitsch might relate to structures in the brain's electro-magnetic field. Along the way, I expose a dogma (that qualia are paradigmatic conscious states) and develop an interpretation of Gurwitsch's field theory.

Publication details

Published in:

Embree Lester (2004) Gurwitsch's relevancy for cognitive science. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 111-129

DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4020-2892-2_6

Full citation:

Yoshimi Jeffrey (2004) „Field theories of mind and brain“, In: L. Embree (ed.), Gurwitsch's relevancy for cognitive science, Dordrecht, Springer, 111–129.