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Abstract
The problem of defining consciousness presents itself as a conundrum in conducting research in the field of
the neuroscience of consciousness. A non-physical definition has often been avoided, but this paper intends to
show why it is favorable through Benjamin Libets Conscious Mental Field Theory. Not only does his theory
align with our intuitions about free will, it can also explain the discrepancy between reality and awareness that
occurs in neurological disorders. In these situations, the CMF would be reduced in its ability to mediate neural
information, yet it retains the ability to influence neural information through its existence.
ambiguously discussed. Rene Descartes, known for his substance dualism, proposed that the substance of the physical world (the
body and its neurons) is independent and not reducible to the mind (mental and conscious properties) (Libet, 2004, p. 181). Libets
model of consciousness follows a similar path. Whereas Chalmers uses experience and the notion of qualia to refer to the subjective
interpretations of physical phenomena, the idea of the mind, or the subjective cognitive interpretation of experience will be referred
to as consciousness for the sake of clarity and unity in this paper. Everything else, as in the bodily functions that correlate or
correspond to the mind, is the physical. This distinction that Libet emphasizes assumes a separation of the two, thus falling victim to
Leibniz's skepticism about a purely materialist approach to identifying consciousness.
Non-Physical Consciousness
Our psychological background tends to separate "externally observable brain processes and relatable reportable subjective
experience" (Libet, 2004, p. 153). The two work concomitantly, as research interprets internal mental activities from neuroimaging
data and other methods that map the physical reality occurring in the brain. Libet's CMF Theory attempts to explain experience
through a third modality, a structure superimposed on the body but which cannot exist independently of it. Instead, the physical
body and immaterial conscious work together harmoniously with the body causally acting on the brain. Libet suggests that "local
[neuronal] alterations in the CMF would be reflected in a changed overall field, but there would not be a separately required
mechanism for transmission and integration of such local contributions" (2004, p. 169). This vague explanation may fall under
Chalmers's scrutiny as Libet obscures how CMF gives rise to experience or even why. Yet, Libet seemingly sidesteps that question
by describing CMF as an emergent property of consciousness, or a unique fundamental property in nature (p. 163). Consciousness,
in the definition of CMF, is therefore a phenomenon "displayed by the system but not evident in the properties that make up [the]
system" (p. 162). Not only is it not evident in the system, the way it works surpasses our understanding of physics.
Nevertheless, the meaning of "physical limitations" is up for debate. Either the argument can be made that quantum
mechanics paints the universe as uncertain, and therefore unmeasurable. In this case, consciousness could work through quantum
mechanics without a perceptible violation of physical laws as it operates on a level that is undetectable (Libet, 2004, p. 154). On
the other hand, consciousness may be physically detectable through measuring the shifting of neuronal patterns. Libet claims that if
consciousness exerts its influence by minimal actions, it would be impossible in practice to measure the small changes that occur
due to consciousness and not play them off as merely unconscious fluctuations (p. 154). Regardless, Libet remains steadfast in his
claim that the CMF is in a phenomenological category not reducible to (although intimately related with) neuronal processes (p.
170). The question remains, how do we know this is the case? Libet looks to free will.
If there is a 500 msec gap between stimulation and perception (or awareness) of that stimulus, why do we not perceive the
gap? Libet stimulated the cortex of subjects after a skin response and paradoxically found that subjects reported feeling the
sensation at the time of cortical stimulation rather than skin simulation, even if the two were separated by some hundreds of
milliseconds (p. 74). Along with his initial findings, Libet saw that only after a 500 msec delay would the subject report feeling the
two sensations simultaneously. While we feel like skin simulation happens instantaneously, cortical sensation elicits the delay in
awareness Libet predicted. Libet hints that the difference results from a primary evoked potential which comes about with skin
stimulation but not with cortical stimulation. He excitedly suggests that there is a subjective referral of the timing for that
experience back to the time of the primary EP response! (p. 75). These results further support the gap of awareness that underlies
Libets CMF theory. These findings also support Libets use of pinpointing the unconscious, yet voluntary neural decision to act
now as earlier in the rise of the readiness potential rather than later. Moreover, a time-dependent gap in awareness allows for
plausible interpretations of blindsight and subliminal processing, discussed further on.
provides the entity in which unified subjective experience is present (p. 168)
The first point have been already made, with the second as an acknowledged fact (that only you can access your full experience) but
what makes the last two characterizations valid? Arguments in defense of CMF illustrate its applicability in explaining disparate
phenomena such as subliminal processing, blindsight, vegetative states, dissociative identity disorder, hypnosis, hemiparesis,
unilateral neglect and alien hand syndrome. Where it suffers is in split brain patients, which Libet acknowledges yet steadfastly
defends his position.
Subliminal Processing
Subliminal processing experiments show a stimulus to a patient at a threshold below conscious awareness by limiting the
time the stimulus is shown followed by backwards masking. In one study, during conditions of subliminal processing, isolated
neuronal activity was elicited but not widespread (Dehaene, et al., 2001). Thus, there is neural evidence for unconscious detection
of a signal which is distinct from conscious awareness of a signal on an observable neuronal level (Libet, 106). Another study by
Pohl, Berner and Hoffmann illustrates that these unconscious stimuli do not need to be aware for them to affect a behavioral
response. The demonstrated this effect in advanced chess players, who were primed with a checking image that led to a faster
response when another checking image came up. Similar results were seen with nonchecking images such that congruent
situations correlate. In non-advanced chess players, no subliminal priming response was seen. These results indicate the readiness
potential were unconsciously raised by the first prime that led to an easier, and thereby faster, decision. With regard to subliminal
processing, CMF Theory allows for the unconscious mind to retain a powerful role which influences the subjective experience
without the necessary awareness. Since the stimuli is below a detectable threshold, it would be limited to physical brain regions and
not enter the CMF. If it had, it would be at the level of awareness and not subliminal.
Blindsight
In blindsight, patients with damaged regions of the occipital lobe report a loss of sight in their visual field. Yet, when
presented with stimuli in their blind field, patients, when forced to guess, report the presence of a stimuli with an accuracy that is
significantly above the level of chance. The patients are adamant about not seeing in their blind area and, in studies, report
frustration with having to force a guess. Yet, the findings show otherwise. It seems that patients do not want to believe in their own
abilities. A rearranging of neuronal pathways of the damaged occipital lobe to redirect stimuli to the undamaged side could explain
the high level of accuracy by way of neuroplasticity.
The physical limitations of the brain damage result in a loss of sight, yet integration of other areas can explain blindsight.
For instance, the amygdala was activated as a response to emotional faces in a patient with cortical blindness (Pegna et al. 2005).
The patient guessed the valence of the emotion with accuracy above chance, possibly indicating that other processes besides the
primary visual cortices may be at play in giving rise to a subjective feeling that led to a decision. These subjective feelings probably
affect the CMF at a level that is unconscious. Or, alternatively, Libet proposes that conscious and unconscious visual functions
may reside in some structure outside the primary visual cortex, such as the amygdala (119). This structure would amplify the
stimuli in the primary visual cortex and trigger awareness. A similar study by Marshall & Halligan illustrates the case of a patient
with left homonyous hemianopia who displays relatively accurate perception of a house on fire as opposed to a normal house
(1988). They suggest that their results showed tacit awareness of left space (as indexed here by rational non-random preferences)
despite explicit denial of any basis upon which to make the requisite choice (the stimuli are judged as identical) (1988). Thus, the
physical blindness the person experiences may be psychologically ingrained into their beliefs, in spite of some preference indicating
mild perception.
These findings fit into CMF Theory because the existence of a CMF predicts that there is a split between the physical and
mental. Even if the patients can accurately guess above chance, they refuse to believe any ability to see. Monkeys, on the other
hand, hold no such beliefs about being blind, and therefore do not doubt themselves before responding correctly to the location of
stimuli shown in a blind field (Cowey and Stoerig, 1995). More importantly, blindsight demonstrates Libets idea of subjective
referral as the way in which consciousness bridges the gap between the onset of a stimulus (EP) and the conscious perception of it.
Libet believes that, at least in blindsight, localization of a target occurs unconsciously. Along the idea that specific sensory
projection to the primary visual area is required only for subjective localization, not for unconscious localization, the CMF is
useful for subjective interpretation of the input (81). Moreover, Libet speculates that these subjective interpretations, or
corrections, of sensations are constructed, or learned. It is more likely that there is a combination of both explanations provided
working to justify blindsight: neuroplasticity and subjective referral. It is possible that other structures may be contributing to sight,
while awareness (the CMF) still believes in the blindness.
Vegetative States
One of the distinguishing traits of emergence from the vegetative state into the minimally conscious state is the
coordination of mental processes to produce a willed response. Without specifying a mechanism for how emergence into a more
conscious state could occur, it would be assumed that this transition would be marked by a CMF that switched from non-functioning
to functioning. The switch is can be defined when the patient, previously determined to be unconscious, exemplifies a consciouslike response. For instance, Owen et al. (2006) correlated the fMRI data of patients with damaged brains to healthy brains and found
striking similarities between both when asked to think about playing tennis and walking through their house. The vegetative patients
who were capable of responding in a manner like healthy patients led the researchers to label them as consciously aware (p 1402).
Monti et al. took the data one step further and asked patients questions, using motor imagery responses to correspond to yes/no
questions. Although the definition of consciousness remains a hazy one, consciousness in vegetative patients is partly characterized
by an ability to demonstrate free will. In disruptions of consciousness on a global scale, the question remains how does one get out
of a vegetative state? It is likely that a third, non-physical structure could have contributed to it - a structure that willed itself into a
conscious state as opposed to out of it.
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Motor Area and corpus callosum, indicated a disruption of planning of movement and some lack of inter-hemispheric connection
in her struggle to fight her disruptive hand (180). Unlike hemiparesis, awareness of damage for alien hand patients such as M.P.
tends to be preserved probably as a result of focal rather than global damage. Either way, Libet characterizes this problem as a loss
of will, probably as a result of lesions in the fronto-medial portion of premotor area which are often attributed the roles of
executive decision making (Libet, 129).
Split Brain
Conscious Mental Field Theory demands a unity of consciousness. However, when it comes to split brain patients, a
disunity of consciousness occurs. Regardless, split brain patients exhibit normal behavior marked by a unified self of self (Libet,
2004, p. 211). Their feelings of unity leads Libet to claim that the the conscious self in split brain patients is largely unified (211).
He maintains this stance in spite of evidence that each hemisphere has exhibited its own sense of conscious abilities that is
functionally separate from the other hemisphere. For instance, R. W. Sperry (1968) tested patients to show that cross-modal transfer
of information in split brain patients fails when the patient is forced to use the hand that is contralateral to the stimulus to find the
object represented by the stimulus. Cross-performance in touching spots on opposite hands is also weak. Similar results occur when
a patient is showed a question mark in the left field and a dollar sign in the right field. When asked to draw what they saw with the
left hand, they reliably drew the dollar sign. When asked to verbalize what he saw, the answer is a question mark. These finding
show that each hemisphere may have specialization that is unique to them, such as language in the left. Moreover, Sperry (1968)
makes the bold claim that one hemisphere does not know what the other hemisphere has been doing (p. 726). In spite of that, both
hemispheres exemplify a well-developed sense of self and social awareness, even if the right hemisphere often lags behind the left
(Sperry, 1979, p. 165). Sperry claims that one hemisphere, the right one, may be the minor hemisphere and only exert a small
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amount of influence over the overall actions. He further speculates that in split-brain patients, subcortical processes may have some
role in the functional transfer of information from one hemisphere to the other.
Libet acknowledges and applies Sperrys results by referring primarily to the subjective experience of split brain patients as
a single-minded, unified individuals as defense for CMF Theory (Libet, 2004, p. 210). Sperry (1968) finds that a unifying body
schema and a unity of optic image can lead to a unity of self. In normal patients, our bilateral redundancy as a result of
evolutionary design works to integrate both hemispheres while in split brain patients, they choose to operate in only one. Thus, for
Libet, the CMF resides in the major hemisphere, or as he writes, unity of the CMF would, in [split brain] circumstances be
restricted to a given hemifield (171). Furthermore, Libet proposes that the Conscious Mental Field does not have the ability to
jump across substantial gaps of space or of tissue barriers (170). If anything, it would be useful for him to drop this limitation to
better incorporate the unity of mind in split brain patients exhibited under normal, not clinical, conditions.
When the minor hemisphere is addressed, is the information available to the same person? It is likely that personal
information could be stored in the CMF, on other central brain structures, or separately in each hemisphere. Could the CMF shift to
the other hemisphere to produce awareness of self? Libet suggests not. Sperrys results of self-identification in both hemispheres
indicate that each hemisphere processes the same personal information. He stipulates that an emotional and mental aura generated
by some items are more likely to spread readily to the opposite hemisphere presumably through brain stem systems (p. 165).
Therefore, it seems that a unity of self is the least amount of unity needed for Libet to claim that a Conscious Mental Field is
subjectively processing information - and it could be influenced by fundamentally regulating systems such as the amygdala or brain
stem. Interestingly enough, it may be the CMF is still unified over the entire skull which leads to some aura and transfer of
information from one hemisphere to the other through the CMF. So, if this transfer occurs in their normal life when the two
hemispheres seemingly operate in unity, each hemisphere would have access to the same information. Why this split surfaces when
tested and disrupts the unity of the CMF could be that both hemispheres contribute to the CMF. The CMF then reflexively operates
on each hemisphere either in separately in each part (for split brain patients) or as a whole; but it can only operate based on the
information it can receive. Thus, it is possible that the CMF splits only when it is forced to do so under testing conditions.
Conversely, if we take attention to be a regulator of perception, then two separate foci of attention could lead to two
different modalities of perception, and thus, two distinct consciousnesses. In a study by Luck, Hillyard, Mangun and Gazzaniga
(1989), split brain patients appeared to display two distinct foci of attention indicated by a lower search slope when scanning
bilateral displays rather than unilateral displays. In this case, the Conscious Mental Field is either unified as stated previously and
working in both hemispheres simultaneously but through different functional pathways, or it is disunified and working
independently in each hemisphere. The latter option not only prompts the question of how many splits of consciousness could result,
but it denies Libets claim that the CMF is unified. The overarching question remains - if information cannot cross the corpus
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callosum, how is it supposed to enter the Conscious Mental Field? Since awareness of information primarily requires functional
integration of it, cross-hemisphere transfer should result in a unified sense of awareness. The opposite, that a lack of crosshemisphere transfer results in a disunified sense of awareness (the problem with Libets model) is not supported by Sperrys work.
What Libet aims to prove is that, in spite of a disintegrated system, a unity of self still occurs because of the presence of the CMF.
Overall, disorders of consciousness exemplify what occurs when there is a conscious mental field that is disrupted. Either
the argument can be made along the lines of dissociative network theory that in these situations, the Conscious Mental Field is not
unified, which would, in turn, negate the definition of a CMF. Or, it could be suggested that the CMF is fully functional but the
interpretations of the subjective experience are altered with or without noticeable changes to the physical. It follows logically that in
order for a Conscious Mental Field to work properly, the brain needs to work properly. Any failures of integration of information
caused by damage can only lead to correlating what structures have which functions. If we look beyond the physical and towards the
causal properties of the CMF, these correlations would prove to be more meaningful.
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Appendix:
If my corpus callosum were split, as it sometimes feels like, and I would produce information visually
that I am incapable of transferring verbally, heres what my essay would probably look like.