This paper describes a new theory of consciousness based on previous work by C.D. Broad, H.H. Price, Andrei Linde and others. This hypothesis states that the Universe consists of three fundamental entities - space-time, matter and consciousness, each with their own degrees of freedom. The paper pays particular attention to three areas that impact on this theory: the demonstration by neuroscience and psychophysics that we do not perceive the world as it actually is but as the brain computes it most (...) probably to be; the need to delineate between phenomenal space-time and physical space-time. Recent theories in physics that suggest that the Universe has more than three spatial dimensions are relevant here; the role of consciousness in the block Universe described by Special Relativity. The integration of these topics suggests a new physical theory of the nature of consciousness. (shrink)

This paper first reviews our present understanding, and misunderstanding, of the 'binding' problem of how phenomenal colour, shape, and movement are integrated within the visual system. The traditional theory that this is done by interactions between the separate colour, shape, and motion computational centres in the visual cortex has been undermined by experiments carried out by Semir Zeki that suggest that such interactions do not take place. This is linked to the hypothesis that the visual system contains two channels: Ohyama's (...) hierarchical behavioural network and the visual phenomenal network. The review presents a further linkage between the computational mechanisms used in vision with those used in digital television. Then a number of theories designed to explain how the 'binding' may operate are examined. Two theories have their basis within the identity theory and a third theory is based on a recent version of the psychoneural interaction theory that distinguishes phenomenal space from physical space. The conclusion is made that the new formation presented in this review supports the latter theory. (shrink)