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Is the neuroscientist's grandmother in the notebook? Integrated information and reference frames in the search for consciousness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2022

Giuseppe Riva Open the ORCID record for Giuseppe Riva [Opens in a new window]
Giuseppe Riva*
Affiliation:
Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 20145Milan, Italy. auxo.psylab@auxologico.it Humane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123Milan, Italy. giuseppe.riva@unicatt.ithttp://www.giusepperiva.com
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Abstract

This commentary suggests that the physical substrate of integrated information is dependent on the reference frame used to observe it. Furthermore, it uses a thought experiment – can a neuroscientist, locked in a closed room and connected through Zoom with his grandmother to demonstrate that the consciousness of his grannie is NOT in the PC? – to underline the problems that neglecting reference frames may cause to consciousness research.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 45 , 2022 , e58
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

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