Quantum Uncertainty Reduction (QUR) Theory of Access and Phenomenal Consciousness

Consciousness is widely perceived as a phenomenon that poses a special explanatory problem for science. The problem arises from the apparent rift between immediate first-person acquaintance with consciousness and our inability to provide an objective/scientific third-person characterization of consciousness. In this paper, I outline a theory of perceptual consciousness called the 'Quantum Uncertainty Reduction (QUR)1 Theory of Access and Phenomenal Consciousness'. The theory offers a functional solution to the hard problem of consciousness in terms of quantum information processing in a Bayesianbrain- inspired information processing system. I argue that the central aspect/step of information processing, namely, quantum uncertainty reduction, gives rise to qualitative properties of phenomenal and access consciousness.