Field theories of mind and brain

Jeff Yoshimi

pp. 111-129

in: Lester Embree (ed), Gurwitsch's relevancy for cognitive science, Berlin, Springer, 2004

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.

Cited authors

Gurwitsch Aron

Köhler Wolfgang