On the Universal Mechanism Underlying Conscious Systems and the Foundations for a Theory of Consciousness
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In this article, I present a novel approach to the scientific understanding of consciousness. It is based on the hypothesis that the full range of phenomenal qualities is built into the frequency spectrum of a ubiquitous background field and proceeds on the assumption that conscious systems employ a universal mechanism by means of which they are able to extract phenomenal nuances selectively from this field. I set forth that in the form of the zero-point field (ZPF) physics can offer a promising candidate that is qualified for playing the dual role as both the carrier of energy and consciousness. The appropriate mechanism, which rests upon the principle of dynamical coupling of ZPF modes, is a unique feature of quantum systems, suggesting that the dividing line between conscious and non-conscious systems is defined by the differentiation between quantum systems and classical systems. The presence of this mechanism in the brain is supported by the neurophysiological body of evidence, leading to a consistent explanation of the dynamical properties of the neural correlates of consciousness. Building on these findings, I lay the foundations for the conceptually coherent integration of consciousness into the physical worldview, derive an indicator for the quantity of consciousness of a given system, and outline the further steps toward a theory of consciousness.
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The phase-locked ZPF modes that accompany the formation of an attractor represent a local ZPF information state that exhibits higher information content compared to the disordered initial state of the background field.
“the phase-locked ZPF modes that accompany the formation of an attractor represent a local ZPF information state that exhibits higher information content compared to the disordered initial state of the background fi eld”
From Beyond Combination: How Cosmic Consciousness Grounds Ordinary Experience (2018) · cites this paper as Keppler 2016
Each attractor is characterized by its specific set of phase-locked field modes and, hence, by its unique ZPF information state.
“Each attractor is characterized by its speci fi c set of phase-locked fi eld modes and, hence, by its unique ZPF information state”
From Beyond Combination: How Cosmic Consciousness Grounds Ordinary Experience (2018) · cites this paper as Keppler 2016
The components of classical systems are not dynamically coupled via the ZPF, thus leaving the ZPF completely unaffected and rendering the system incapable of generating ZPF information states.
“the components of classical systems are not dynamically coupled via the ZPF, thus leaving the ZPF completely unaffected and rendering the system incapable of generating ZPF information states”
From Beyond Combination: How Cosmic Consciousness Grounds Ordinary Experience (2018) · cites this paper as Keppler 2016
A system in equilibrium with the ZPF behaves as a resonant stochastic oscillator that extracts its resonance frequencies selectively from the full frequency spectrum of the background field.
“a system in equilibrium with the ZPF behaves as a resonant stochastic oscillator that extracts its resonance frequencies selectively from the full frequency spectrum of the background field”
From Beyond Combination: How Cosmic Consciousness Grounds Ordinary Experience (2018) · cites this paper as Keppler 2016
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References 61 · Cited by 18
- Authors
- Keppler, J.
- Corresponding author
- Keppler, Joachim
- ORCID
- Keppler, Joachim
- Venue
- Open Journal of Philosophy
- Publisher
- Scientific Research Publishing, Inc.
- Published
- 2016
- Volume
- 06
- Issue
- 04
- Pages
- 346-367
- ISSN
- 2163-9434 (ISSN-L)
- 2163-9442
- OpenAlex
- W2548550923
- Cited by
- 18
- References
- 61
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 2.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Locations
- Open Journal of Philosophy (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Philosophy and Theoretical Science
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Biofield Effects and Biophysics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
- Keywords
- theory of consciousness, zero-point field, phenomenal consciousness, quantum consciousness, quantum-classical divide, neural correlates of consciousness, consciousness assessment
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